About Narceus gordanus (Chamberlin, 1943)
Narceus gordanus, commonly called the smokey oak millipede and the smokey ghost millipede, is a species of spirobolid millipede native to the southeastern United States. Adult individuals of this species measure between approximately 60 to 120 mm (2.4 to 4.7 in) in length, and can reach up to 13 mm in width. They have between 45 and 65 body segments. Their body color is lighter than the color of other species in the genus Narceus. Each of their body rings is a light greenish tan, followed by a darker tan band. N. gordanus also has shorter legs than other Narceus species, and a deeper groove on its head where the antennae rest. Narceus gordanus lives in the Florida scrub habitat of peninsular Florida, and its range extends north as far as South Carolina, with unconfirmed possible records from Tennessee. This millipede matches the color of sand found in some Florida habitats, despite being primarily active at night. Like other millipedes, Narceus gordanus responds to threats by coiling into a defensive spiral to protect its underbelly and head, and secreting a fluid that has an unpleasant smell and taste. If this secretion touches human skin, it can cause a harmless discoloration called millipede burn. The diet of Narceus gordanus is made up of decaying leaves, wood, and other detritus.
