Narceus gordanus

Narceus gordanus is a spirobolid millipede native to the southeastern United States. Common names include Smokey Oak Millipede and Smokey Ghost Millipede. Adults range from around 60 to 120 mm (2.4 to 4.7 in) in length, up to 13 mm wide, and possess 45 to 65 body segments. The body color is lighter than other species of Narceus, with each body ring a light greenish tan followed by a band of darker tan. N. gordanus also has shorter legs than other Narceus species, and a deeper groove on the head in which the antennae rest.[1]

Narceus gordanus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Myriapoda
Class:	Diplopoda
Order:	Spirobolida
Family:	Spirobolidae
Genus:	Narceus
Species:	N. gordanus
Binomial name
Narceus gordanus (Chamberlin, 1943)
Synonyms
Spirobolus gordanus Chamberlin, 1943 Arctobolus keysi Loomis, 1944 Narceus keysi Causey, 1955

Narceus gordanus occurs in Florida scrub habitat of peninsular Florida, and ranges as far north as South Carolina, with possible records in Tennessee.[1] N. gordanus matches the color of sand in some Florida habitats, even though it is mainly active at night.[2] Narceus gordanus, similar to other millipedes, responds to threats by secreting a foul-smelling and tasting fluid and coiling into a defensive spiral to protect its underbelly and head. When exposed to human skin, these secretions can cause a harmless discoloration known as millipede burn. Their diet consists of decaying leaves, wood, and other detritus.