Desmoxytes purpurosea
The shocking pink dragon millipede[1] (also called the dragon millipede[2] (Desmoxytes purpurosea) is a millipede which has a bright pink color on its spiny body). It is very toxic. They have glands that release cyanide to protect them from predators.
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| Desmoxytes purpurosea | |
The millipede has glands that produce hydrogen cyanide to protect it from predators,[3] a fact advertised by its aposematic color. Because it produces cyanide, it smells like almonds.[4]
It is one of a thousand new spcies found in the Greater Mekong region in the last ten years.[5] It can be found at the Tai side of the Mekong river.[6]
References
- ↑ National Geographic this is its real name
- ↑ "CBSnews.com". CBS News. Archived from the original on 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
- ↑ "Cyanide Millipede, Huge Spider Among New Species". National Geographic Society.
- ↑ Enghoff, Henrik; Sutcharit, Chirasak; Panha, Somsak (2007). "The shocking pink dragon millipede, Desmoxytes purpurosea, a colourful new species from Thailand" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1563: 31–36. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1563.1.3. ISSN 1175-5326.
- ↑ National Geographic
- ↑ Fox news