Arthropod - Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center

Giant African Millipede

COMMON NAME: Giant African Millipede
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Archispirostreptus gigas
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Detritivore – feeds on decaying organic matter, such as rotting leaves and wood
GROUP NAME: Colony (though they are typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: 7–10 years in captivity
SIZE: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) long
WEIGHT: ~3–4 oz (85–115 g)
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat destruction and improper collection for the pet trade
HABITAT: Subtropical forests and leaf litter of western and central Africa
BEHAVIOR:

Navigates without eyes by using sensitive antennae
Has weak mouthparts and cannot bite
Defends itself by curling into a tight spiral and secreting a foul-smelling fluid
FUN FACT: Millipedes breathe through tiny holes called spiracles located along the sides of their exoskeleton—and they have two pairs of legs per body segment, unlike centipedes!

Peppered Cockroach

COMMON NAME: Peppered Cockroach
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Archimandrita tesselata
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Leaves and decaying plant material (omnivore)
GROUP NAME: Intrusion (rarely used; often just called a colony or group)
LIFESPAN: Up to 2 years
SIZE: 2–3 inches
WEIGHT: Not well documented; very light due to exoskeleton and body design
STATUS: Not Listed
THREATS: None (in captivity); habitat loss in the wild is a minor concern
HABITAT: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America
BEHAVIOR: Docile and usually calm. While not the longest of roaches, they are among the widest. Often hide during the day and come out at night.
ORDER: Blattodea (not Phasmatodea — that’s for walking sticks)
FUN FACT: These cockroaches are closely related to some of Earth’s earliest winged insects, which lived over 200 million years ago—making them ancient survivors of the insect world!

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

COMMON NAME: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gromphadorhina portentosa
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Detritivore – feeds on decaying organic matter like rotting leaves, wood, and fruit
GROUP NAME: Colony (commonly lives in groups in captivity and the wild)
LIFESPAN: 2–5 years
SIZE: 2–4 inches (5–10 cm)
WEIGHT: ~15–20 grams
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: None in the wild; common in captivity
HABITAT: Forest floors of Madagascar, often under logs and leaf litter
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal scavenger that contributes to forest health by breaking down decomposing materials.
FUN FACT: These cockroaches hiss by forcing air through spiracles (tiny holes along their sides), a behavior used to communicate during mating or when threatened.

Jungle Nymph

COMMON NAME: Jungle Nymph
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Heteropteryx dilatata
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Herbivore – feeds on leaves, including guava, bramble, and other tropical plants
GROUP NAME: Colony (though they are mostly solitary)
LIFESPAN: 1–2 years
SIZE:
Females: Up to 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)

Males: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)

WEIGHT: Females can weigh up to 65 grams – among the heaviest of all insects
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss and collection for the pet trade
HABITAT: Tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal and well-camouflaged. Females are leaf-like and bright green; males are brown and stick-like. Females have short wings and cannot fly, while males can.
FUN FACT: Jungle Nymphs are covered in sharp spines. When threatened, females raise their hind legs and snap them shut like a spiny trap to deter predators!

Sabah Thorny Stick Insect

COMMON NAME: Sabah Thorny Stick Insect
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aretaon asperrimus
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Herbivore – feeds on leaves of bramble, guava, and other tropical plants
GROUP NAME: Colony (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: 9 months to 1.5 years
SIZE:
Male: ~2 inches (5 cm)
Female: 3–3.5 inches (7.5–9 cm)
WEIGHT: Not well documented; relatively lightweight
STATUS: Not Listed
THREATS: None significant in captivity
HABITAT: Tropical rainforests of Borneo, particularly the Sabah region of Malaysia
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal and slow-moving. Covered in small spines for camouflage and defense.
FUN FACT: When threatened, these insects release a repulsive odor and may produce a faint croaking sound by rubbing their mouthparts together!

Vietnamese Walking stick juvenile

COMMON NAME: Vietnamese Walking Stick
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Baculum extradentatum
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Herbivore – eats leaves; uses sideways-moving jaws
GROUP NAME: Colony (typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: 1–2 years
SIZE:
Females: 4–5 in
Males: 3–4 in (rare)
WEIGHT: Lightweight
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: None significant
HABITAT: Tropical forests of Southeast Asia
BEHAVIOR: Camouflages as twigs; females can reproduce without mating
FUN FACT: Also called phasmids—from the Latin for “ghost” due to their stealthy, vanishing appearance.

Asian Forest Scorpion

COMMON NAME: Asian Forest Scorpion
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Heterometrus spp.
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Carnivore – feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates
GROUP NAME: Cluster or bed (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: 6–8 years
SIZE: 4–6 inches (10–15 cm)
WEIGHT: ~10–12 grams
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss and collection for pet trade
HABITAT: Tropical and subtropical forests across Southeast Asia
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal ambush predator that hides in burrows or under logs. Uses powerful pincers to grasp prey and a mild venom to subdue it.
FUN FACT: Like many scorpions, Asian Forest Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light due to natural fluorescence in their exoskeleton—making them light up neon blue-green in the dark!

Tailless Whip Scorpion

COMMON NAME: Tailless Whip Scorpion
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Damon diadema
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects and other small invertebrates
GROUP NAME: Colony (though usually solitary)
LIFESPAN: 5–10 years
SIZE: Up to 8 inches leg span
WEIGHT: Lightweight; not commonly recorded
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat destruction
HABITAT: Humid tropical forests and caves in East Africa
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal and shy; uses long whip-like front legs to feel surroundings and detect prey. Despite their intimidating look, they are harmless to humans.
FUN FACT: Tailless whip scorpions belong to a group called Amblypygids—they have no venom and don’t sting or bite!

Blue Death Feigning Beetle

COMMON NAME: Blue Death Feigning Beetle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Asbolus verrucosus
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Omnivore – feeds on plant matter, fungi, decaying organic material, and dead insects
GROUP NAME: Colony (though they are typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: 8–10 years in captivity
SIZE: 0.7–1.1 inches (18–28 mm)
WEIGHT: ~1 gram
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: None significant; not currently threatened
HABITAT: Arid deserts of the southwestern United States, especially the Sonoran Desert
BEHAVIOR: Known for its defense behavior of “playing dead” (thanatosis) when threatened—sometimes staying motionless for hours
FUN FACT: This beetle’s powdery blue color comes from a waxy coating that protects it from dehydration in the desert sun. The blue fades if the beetle gets wet or humid!

Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula

COMMON NAME: Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brachypelma smithi
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects, other spiders, frogs, small birds, and mice
GROUP NAME: Colony (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: Males: Up to 10 years
Females: Up to 25 years
SIZE: 5 inches body length; up to 7-inch leg span
WEIGHT: ~0.5–1 oz
STATUS: Near Threatened
THREATS: Habitat destruction and illegal pet trade
HABITAT: Semi-desert and grasslands of Mexico
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal ambush predators. They are calm but may flick irritating hairs from their abdomen if threatened.
FUN FACT: They can smell and taste with their feet—thanks to sensitive hairs that detect chemical and vibrational signals!

Brazilian Black Tarantula

COMMON NAME: Brazilian Black Tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Grammostola pulchra
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates
GROUP NAME: Colony (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: Males: 6–8 years
Females: Up to 20 years
SIZE: 5–6 inch leg span
WEIGHT: ~1 oz
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade
HABITAT: Grasslands and tropical forests of Brazil and Uruguay
BEHAVIOR: Docile and slow-moving. Known for their calm temperament and reluctance to bite.
FUN FACT: This species’ velvety black appearance and gentle nature make it one of the most popular tarantulas in the pet trade.

Rose Hair Tarantula

COMMON NAME: Rose-Hair Tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Grammostola rosea
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects, lizards, small snakes, mice, and toads
GROUP NAME: Colony (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: Males: 4–6 years
Females: Up to 20 years
SIZE: 4.5–6 inches leg span
WEIGHT: ~0.5–1 oz
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss and overcollection for pet trade
HABITAT: Deserts and scrublands of Chile, South America
BEHAVIOR: Burrowing tarantulas that web themselves into a shelter during the day
FUN FACT: Despite their dramatic appearance, they’re often shy and slow-moving, making them a favorite in the exotic pet world.

Salmon Pink Birdeater Tarantula

COMMON NAME: Salmon Pink Birdeater Tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lasiodora parahybana
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects, with the occasional small bird or mammal
GROUP NAME: Colony (though typically solitary)
LIFESPAN: Males: 4–6 years
Females: Up to 15 years
SIZE: Up to 10 inches leg span
WEIGHT: ~3–4 oz
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss and overcollection for pet trade
HABITAT: Rainforest floors of eastern Brazil
BEHAVIOR: Nocturnal ground-dweller that creates burrows or hides in natural shelters
FUN FACT: One of the largest tarantulas in the world—and despite their size, they’re surprisingly fast movers!

Zebra-Legged Tarantula

COMMON NAME: Zebra-Legged Tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aphonopelma seemanni
TYPE: Invertebrate
DIET: Insects, small mammals, small amphibians
GROUP NAME: Solitary
LIFESPAN: Up to 15 years (females)
SIZE: 4–6 inches
WEIGHT: Not commonly recorded
STATUS: Not Evaluated
THREATS: Habitat loss
HABITAT: Forests of southern Mexico and Central America
BEHAVIOR: Docile and nervous; more likely to flee than fight. Lives in deep burrows lined with webbing.
FUN FACT: Their striking black and white leg stripes help them blend in with the forest floor.

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