What's Your Nature?

Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!

American Giant Millipede

Posted by Emily Moore,
North Country explorer from Birmingham, AL
August 26, 2026 —

Yesterday I stumbled upon this stunning Narceus americanus, or American Giant Millipede. Fun fact: these armored arthropods protect themselves by secreting a noxious ooze when threatened. Be wary of "millipede burns"; the benzoquinone chemical compounds in Narceus secretions can cause irritation and discoloration of the skin!