For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Who's stealing my bread?

I put out seed and crumbed brown bread for the birds and the other morning when I came out, I found this rather large millipede having his breakfast there too.
I did not know that anyone else was eating there besides the birds and the rabbit.
What surprised me was the fact that there were no birds around while the millipede was eating and that some of them did not think to make a meal of HIM!! :)

20 comments:

Gaelyn said...

I too was thinking that's one lucky millipede not to be eaten by the birds. Yet many of them don't taste so good, or so I hear. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Now that they are eating the yummy bread, they will evolve to become yummy to birds.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: That is a big one, I don't know if the fish would enjoy him on the end of a hook.

Becky said...

I guess I didn't realize birds ate them. They don't look very tasty! LOL
Super pictures Joan.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

The birds do eat them Gaelyn but knock off their heads first as they have poison in glands there.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! That circle of life again Bernie. :) Or is it eat and be eaten? :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I think they just might Tom but probably they prefer earthworms which are much softer and easier to swallow. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

As I myself have not tasted them I would not know Becky. LOL!! Maybe I should try them sometime and let you know? It is the thought of all those legs which put me off. :)

Craig Glenn said...

Ok so I counted them and there is no where near a million!

Nice but there bug lady!

Craig

Rambling Woods said...

The birds knock their heads off..Yuck... but an interesting insect.. Michelle

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Craig. It is really wonderful to hear from you again. I have missed you!!

Of course there are a million!! Would the scientist that named them be wrong? LOL!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! It is quite funny to watch them Michelle but if they dont they cannot eat them because of the poison.

Wendy said...

I don't mind these ones TOO much, but they still have alot of legs LOL. How big was he?

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Leeloo. He was about 4 inches in length but I have seen these grow to about 6 inches.

Mary said...

Maybe millipedes aren't very tasty :-) Certainly interesting to see all those feet so close.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I am glad I do not have to buy shoes for all of those feet Mary. :)

Anonymous said...

Millipedes secrete hydrogen cyanide and other poisons as well for defense. Some monkey species have been observed intentionally irritating millipedes to get them to secrete their poisons to be rubbed on them and used as a mosquitoe repllent.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! Wonderful info Ken. Thanks. From now on I will start collecting these in my garden to use as a repellent too. I am not sure my co-workers or next door neighbors will come near me though. LOL!!

myonlyphoto said...

Ouch Joan probably birds are smart, I wouldn't either, lol. But a very nice photo. Anna :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Anna. I have not yet been reduced to trying them out either but if I did I think I would give this one a miss ....too many legs!! LOL!!