Are millipedes poisonous?

Question

today i picked up this big millipeade.. it was like 3 inches long and i started secreting this weird red-purple stuff and now the stuff is stained on my finger.. i live in south tn and idk if i should do anything about it

Answer 1

Paul is correct in that they secrete cyanide. Just wash thoroughly with soap and water and the stains will wear off in a couple of days. I think the only way it could possibly make you sick, is if you stuck your finger in your mouth.

We use millipedes as outreach animals for schools, and we always have the kids wash and remind them not to put their hands near their mouths.

BTW, the secretion is a defense mechanism.

Answer 2

A great deal of people often confuse millipedes with their neighbouring class the centipedes. Millipedes are herbivores and do not possess the appendages of modified poison jaws/claws that centipedes have. (Each claw has a poison gland opening near the tip).

However, any sort of secretion should be washed of with some warm water... just to be safe :-)

Answer 3

The sometimes foul smelling fluid may contain hydrogen cyanide.  So you should wash it thoroughly.