# Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede (*apheloria virginiensis*) The Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede is a fascinating creature with a shiny black body and vibrant yellow stripes! These little critters love to munch on decaying leaves and help keep the forest clean. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Forests, particularly in damp, leaf-littered areas. - **Also known as:** Black Millipede, Golden Millipede, Virginia Flat Millipede ![Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Apheloriavirginiensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bob Walker (uploaded by en:User:Paphrag ), CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apheloriavirginiensis.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede has a striking black body adorned with bright yellow or orange-gold stripes along its sides. Its flattened shape allows it to squeeze into tight spaces, making it visually distinct from rounder millipedes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Diplopoda - **Order:** Polydesmida - **Family:** Xystodesmidae - **Genus:** Apheloria ## Interesting facts - Instead of biting, millipedes defend themselves by curling into a tight, protective spiral. - Millipedes are nature's tiny clean-up crew, helping recycle dead plants into new soil. - Some millipedes, like this one, can actually glow under a special UV light! - They grow by shedding their exoskeleton, like taking off a suit of armor! ## Special abilities - **Cyanide Shield:** The Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede can ooze a cyanide-based liquid because it helps deter predators with its foul taste and smell. - **Ground Glider:** The Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede has a flattened body and many tiny legs that help them push through leaf litter and soil. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4 cm - **Size:** 0.8 cm - **Weight:** 0.8 g ## Diet & Feeding These millipedes are nature's recyclers, munching on dead leaves and decaying wood to enrich the soil. - **Age differences:** null - **Primary Foods:** decaying leaves, rotten wood, fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-toad) (*Anaxyrus americanus*) — a tasty snack for them - **Eaten by:** Masked Shrew (*Sorex cinereus*) — sought by hungry shrews - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — often flipped from leaf litter ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching any insects! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede? 4 cm ### How big is Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede? 0.8 cm ### How much does Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede weigh? 0.8 g ### What does Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede eat? These millipedes are nature's recyclers, munching on dead leaves and decaying wood to enrich the soil. ### Where is Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede usually found? Forests, particularly in damp, leaf-littered areas. ### How does Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Chenango Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chenango-canal) — New York, US · Historic Site - [Colonial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colonial-park) — New Jersey, US · Park - [Hudson Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hudson-falls-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Long Ridge Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-ridge-village-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Lyman Run State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyman-run-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park - [Camp Greentop Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-greentop-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District [View all places to see Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-and-gold-flat-millipede) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Black-And-Gold Flat Millipede Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-and-gold-flat-millipede)