Desert Millipede, Orthoporus ornatus
Desert Millipedes come in a wide variety of colours, depending on their specific locality. They can be dark brown to bright orange, or glossy tan to yellow and black stripes! During summer rains, they come to the surface, but in drought conditions they burrow and become dormant until the next rainy season. Aside from hiding underground to avoid predators, they can also secrete a noxious chemical when threatened which makes them distasteful. Otherwise, their tough exoskeleton and secretive habits help to keep them safe and allow them to live up to 10 years of age.
