07/15/2026
Happy Wild Wednesday!
This week's focus: Millipedes! 🍂
If you've visited the Nature Center recently, you may have noticed our thriving millipede population. With the recent rainfall, the soil has become perfect for millipede eggs to hatch. Their delicate exoskeletons dry out very easily, so moisture is essential to young millipede's survival.
Most millipedes in Iowa are 1-2" long and spend much of their time hiding beneath logs, rocks, leaf litter, or in other cool, damp places. The most common species include the Greenhouse Millipede, the Yellow-Legged Millipede, and the Garden/Flat-Backed Millipede. They're most active at night and after a good rain when it's easier for them to move without drying out.
One of the most fascinating things about millipedes is that they aren't born with all their legs! Young millipedes hatch with only a few pairs and gain more every time they molt as they grow.
Next time you're exploring a trail or turning over a fallen log, take a closer look! You might find one of Iowa's tiny recyclers at work, helping keep our forests and prairies healthy.
