Millipedes were one of the first animals to breathe atmospheric oxygen, and they have been on Earth for more than 400 million years. Millipedes as large as cars once roamed the planet. Today, the largest millipedes are only a few inches long, and the Ellett Valley millipede is less than an inch. This tiny, milky-white arthropod is found in only eight caves, part of the fragile karst ecosystems that define the region. It's in critical danger because of development and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) – but the Blacksburg, Virginia community is rallying around this millipede, and there's a chance to save it. “Small creatures often don’t get as much attention in conservation efforts,” said Molly Larson, a Blacksburg resident and millipede campaign co-organizer. “But these millipedes aren’t found anywhere else in the world. They’re really special.” The Center for Biological Diversity is fighting in the courts to list the Ellett Valley Millipede under the Endangered Species Act. ...