Stunning Bright Blue Cloud Forest Millipede Is Sure to Shock You

Habitat: High altitude cloud forests in Mexico
Status: Not Listed

I think it’s safe to say that millipedes aren’t exactly the most attractive creatures on the planet. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they’re pretty cool-looking (I think) with their millions of tiny leggies all moving in synchrony. That being said, the only way to really spruce up the aesthetic nature of this creature would be, I dunno, to paint it a beautiful color. Well, I guess Mother Nature had the same thought because I’d like to introduce you to the Blue Cloud Forest Millipede (Pararhachistes potosinus).

This bright blue stunner is a Polydesmid millipede which means it’s in the largest family of millipedes, Polydesmida, which includes approximately 3,500 species. They have no eyes and, according to Wikipedia, vary in length from 3 to 130 mm (0.12 to 5.1 in). The shocking blue color warns predators of the toxic secretions this millipede is capable of producing.

So, what do you guys think? Does this change the way you view millipedes now? Dare I say they can now be thought of as classically “beautiful creatures”?