Animal Kingdom

Arthropod Phylum: Millipedes: The iulid millipede

These are common millipedes with long cylindrical bodies. They burrow deep into the soil and feed on dead leaves and other decaying vegetable matter. The millipedes are not very fast so they cannot easily escape from predators. If they are attacked they roll themselves into a ball and produce a yellow liquid which repels predators.

© Paul Billiet, Shirley Burchill, Alan Damon and Deborah James 2009