Sphaerotheriids

Sphaerotheriids are a family of millipedes belonging to the order Spirobolida. They are commonly known as giant pill millipedes due to their remarkable ability to roll into a tight, spherical ball when threatened, a defense mechanism shared with armadillidiid isopods. This rolling ability is facilitated by a specialized arrangement of their body segments, allowing them to conceal their vulnerable underside.

These millipedes are characterized by their large, cylindrical bodies, typically measuring several centimeters in length. They possess a smooth, hardened exoskeleton that can vary in color, often displaying shades of brown, black, or reddish-brown. Sphaerotheriids are detritivores, playing a crucial role in their ecosystems by consuming decaying organic matter, such as leaf litter and decaying wood. They are found primarily in Africa and Madagascar, inhabiting a range of environments from forests to grasslands. Their life cycle involves hatching from eggs and undergoing several molts as they grow, eventually reaching sexual maturity.