Species introCountry intro
Night Train Millipede
Aka cyanide millipede, aka clown millipede. This little guy really does use hydrogen cyanide to defend himself, but it's not enough to harm a human. (though washing your hands after handling one is probably a good idea). It does however save him from most predators, except for a certain beetle, promecognathus laevissimus, which has made a speciality of eating them.
''Harpaphe haydeniana'' is a species of polydesmidan millipede found in the moist forests along the Pacific coast of North America, from Southeast Alaska to California. The dark coloration with contrasting yellow-tipped keels warn of its ability to exude toxic hydrogen cyanide as a defense. Despite the various common names given the species, the coloration pattern, cyanide defense, and associated almond scent occur in other flat-backed millipedes around the world.
