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Home » Forums » General Discussion

Is Oxidus gracilis edible?

A squirrel was scratching at a crevice in my window frame. When I looked the cavity was full of greenhouse millipedes (Oxidus gracilis). Are these edible? I know some millipedes are poisonous.

Squirrels will eat insects. Small millipedes might be tempting to them too.
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Contributed by John F. Carr on 11 July, 2010 - 5:53pm

Edible?
When in doubt, you might try the protocol used by mushroom collectors . Munch up a small bit, wait for side effects, than try a few more. Let us know if these might be the next culinary craze in upscale restaurants. ;)>
… Kerry S. Matz, 12 July, 2010 - 11:08am login or register to post comments

 
It would be likely...
that millipedes are utilized as food by many species. Grasshopper Mice eat just about anything they can catch, including other mice.
Apparently some primates (lemurs) ingest millipedes or their secretions. Although it seems that this behavior is more recreational than nutritional.
It would be interesting if the squirrels were observed eating the millipedes, keep watching.
… Kerry S. Matz, 18 July, 2010 - 3:52pm login or register to post comments

Different digestive systems
Many animals eat things that are poisonous to most other creatures; think of monarch butterflies and all the other milkweed specialized eaters: milkweed bugs, milkweed beetles, some weevils.
And then remember how we can eat chocolate but dogs can be killed by it.
… Beatriz Moisset, 12 July, 2010 - 10:47am login or register to post comments

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