Skip to Content

Giant Millipede From 340 Million Years Ago Was The Size Of A Car

Giant millipede in the forrest.
Giant millipede in the forrest. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

Scientists recently uncovered a startling discovery of a car-sized arthropod that roamed the Earth around 340 million years ago. This giant millipede, reconstructed using advanced technology, has captivated researchers and the public alike. Let’s discover how these findings shed light on the ancient creatures that once dominated the planet’s ecosystems!

Unearthing a Fossilized Giant

Giant millipede and a dragon fly.
Giant millipede and a dragon fly.Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The discovery began with the fossilized remains of this massive arthropod. Specifically, the remains were found in ancient rocks, and provided clues about the creature’s immense size. Moreover, this discovery opens new windows into prehistoric life!

How Big Was the Giant Arthropod?

Model of red giant millipede.
Model of red giant millipede. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The creature is believed to have reached the size of a car, making it one of the largest known terrestrial arthropods, or insects on earth! In fact, its massive body structure would have stretched almost 9 feet long. Its scale makes modern-day insects look tiny by comparison, and I think I’m happy to keep our tiny bugs!

The Millipede’s Living Environment

Giant millipede climbing a tree stump.
Giant millipede climbing a tree stump. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

This giant millipede lived during a time when Earth’s climate and atmosphere were drastically different. For example, the period it roamed was marked by high oxygen levels, allowing insects and other species to grow to enormous sizes. Consequently, these conditions contributed to the existence of such massive creatures.

New Technology Behind the Reconstruction

Statue of giant millipede.
Statue of giant millipede. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The recent reconstruction of this ancient creature’s face was made possible through advanced scanning technology. Scientists used 3D imaging to carefully recreate its facial features. This allows for a deeper understanding of what this creature may have looked like.

What Did the Giant Millipede Eat?

Arthropleura with legs in the air.
Arthropleura with legs in the air. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

This colossal creature likely had a diet consisting of decaying plant material. This means that, as a detritivore, it would have played a crucial role in breaking down organic matter in its ecosystem. By consuming dead plants, it helped recycle nutrients into the soil.

Why Was It So Large?

Drawing of Arthropleura. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The giant millipede’s size is linked to the high oxygen levels in Earth’s atmosphere at the time. Specifically, elevated oxygen concentrations allowed arthropods to grow significantly larger than they can today. These conditions no longer exist, which explains why such gigantic arthropods are no longer present. I hope I’m not the only one relieved to hear that!

Comparison to Modern-Day Insects

Two giant millipedes by a scaled creature.
Two giant millipedes by a scaled creature. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

Modern arthropods are much smaller than their prehistoric ancestors. The giant millipede dwarfs today’s largest arthropods, which pale in comparison. Notably, arthropods today are constrained by lower oxygen levels, which limit their size.

The Creature’s Role in Its Ecosystem

Size comparison of giant millipede.
Size comparison of giant millipede. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

As one of the largest land animals of its time, this millipede would have had a major role in shaping its environment. For example, its interactions with plants and other creatures contributed to the balance of its ancient ecosystem. Additionally, it may have helped maintain soil health through its feeding habits.

The Reaction from the Scientific Community

Arthropleura view from the front.
Arthropleura view from the front. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The discovery has sparked excitement in the scientific community. Understandably, researchers are fascinated by the millipede’s size and the conditions that allowed it to thrive. It also raises new questions about the potential for other large creatures that may have lived during the same period!

Public Fascination with Ancient Giants

Giant millipede fossil.
Giant millipede fossil. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The public has shown great interest in these prehistoric giants, as their immense size captures the imagination. In fact, giant arthropods such as this one have even seeped their way into the entertainment industry. Moreover, this offers a glimpse into a time when Earth was home to creatures unlike any we see today.

Implications for Future Research

Giant millipede.
Giant millipede. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

This discovery could lead to further research into prehistoric arthropods and their environments. Moving forward, scientists hope to uncover more fossils to better understand the conditions that allowed these massive creatures to exist. It may also offer insights into how Earth’s changing climate affected species over millions of years.

Conclusion: A Window Into Earth’s Distant Past

Giant millipede eats from tree.
Giant millipede eats from tree. Screenshot from Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology

The discovery of this car-sized millipede reveals fascinating details about Earth’s ancient past. It offers clues about how the planet’s climate and atmosphere shaped the creatures that lived here millions of years ago. As researchers continue to study this find, we may learn even more about the incredible diversity of life that once thrived on prehistoric Earth!

YouTube video
Arthropleura: The Prehistoric Millipede as Long as a Car Source: YouTube Channel: Bugs and Biology