Watch Swarms of Millipedes Join Ranks to Survive
Millipedes are generally solitary creatures. However, footage shot in Senegal captured swarms of millipedes of the family Paradoxosomatidae. Why are they so packed together? Millipedes feed on algae-covered soil. But this soil can only be found out in the open. When the millipedes are in the open, they are vulnerable to attack. When they swarm together, they can more easily fend off attacks from small creatures like ants. If a bigger creature attacks, the millipedes will disband and try to evade the predator. When the threat is neutralized, the millipedes go back to swarming and feeding.
Transcript
Millipedes are generally solitary creatures.
However, footage shot in Senegal captured swarms of millipedes of the family Paradoxosomatidae.
Why are they so packed together?
Millipedes feed on algae-covered soil.
But this soil can only be found out in the open.
When the millipedes are in the open, they are vulnerable to attack.
When they swarm together, they can more easily fend off attacks from small creatures like ants.
If a bigger creature attacks, the millipedes will disband and try to evade the predator.
When the threat is neutralized, the millipedes go back to swarming and feeding.
