Orthoporus sp - Mojave Desert

[earthling]

This species of millipede lives in the Mojave Desert of Southern California (high desert). They only appear when the weather begins to turn cold in late Autumn and usually peak in December, around the same time as our foulest weather. I guess that carries the advantage of fewer predators, although I am not sure what the tradeoff against the cold is. They seem restricted to a fairly narrow elevation range, although that may just be a local effect and not particular to the species.

[leoiinsect]

Looked awesome with that sleek and shiny armor!