HELP centipede acting weird

[Thearachnidaddict]

So about a month ago I bought a scolopendra metuenda. It has been acting healthy and eating until today. I found it with its head curled up and it’s legs twitching. I bought it from a shady business but at the time I thought they were a reputable dealer so I think it might be wc so could it have picked up a parasite?

 

[Jumbie Spider]

It does not look good, when they are bowing like that. Try to hydrate it if possible, perhaps place a water near its mouth to see if it can drink.
Looks a little dry in there although I have no experience about this species and if it needs moisture etc.
Also not sure of their lifespan, could be a possibility that it was old/end of life.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

They do need moisture however I instantly tried hydrating. Does not seem to want to drink and I misted it’s enclosure only two days ago.

 

[Jumbie Spider]

It does not sound good, sorry. Maybe some others can chime in and give better advice.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

Update. Its still doing the wierd head bow and leg twitch thing. Ive offered water and its refused. I dont quite know what else to do so I have currently put it into a dark room with acess to water and i will check on it in a few hours to see if its better.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

Update 2. Sadly it did not make it. I examined its body for mites/nematodes and found none

 

[Jumbie Spider]

Don't beat yourself up about it. Don't be discouraged... Try again when you feel ready.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

I really do think it was sick as it was wild caught, not adult size, and when it was acting wierd it was refusing food and water unlike if it were dehydrated.

 

[basin79]

Can't find much on them but I did see them referred to as veitnam giant centipede. If that's true I'd imagine they need the sub damp like the others from the area.

Pedes desiccate quickly so those used to a damper environment really wouldn't last so long on bone dry substrate. Spraying does little as it evaporates quickly. You literally need to overfill the water dish and/or pour water directly onto the substrate in the corners. A little bit at first to get the top layers damp. Then you can slowly pour more in. You'll see the water soak through the substrate and spread through the sides of the enclosure.

If these don't require damp sub then obviously ignore the above.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

I hear they are from the solomon islands and by spraying I meant spraying ten times and making sure the water dish is full. But its the container it was in had alot of ventalation so it is true that it cpuld have evaporated quickly.

 

[basin79]

I hear they are from the solomon islands and by spraying I meant spraying ten times and making sure the water dish is full. But its the container it was in had alot of ventalation so it is true that it cpuld have evaporated quickly.

Like I mentioned spraying is useless. It only ever wets the surface for a short time. Doesn't make the actual substrate damp.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

Like I mentioned spraying is useless. It only ever wets the surface for a short time. Doesn't make the actual substrate damp.

thx for the info I will use it in the future.

 

[Conor10]

Parasites, seems common with them. Bought two of them a while back and both had the same thing happen, a worm thing busted out of it when I put it In water. Chances are that it could have been dead already the whole time, and the parasite was controlling the body like a puppet. It wasn’t your fault, it happens.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

Parasites, seems common with them. Bought two of them a while back and both had the same thing happen, a worm thing busted out of it when I put it In water. Chances are that it could have been dead already the whole time, and the parasite was controlling the body like a puppet. It wasn’t your fault, it happens.

Sounds like what you are describing is what is known as a horsehair worm. I had a suspicion that it might have been something like that. Its a shame that most centipedes are wc and have a likely possibility of being contaminated with parasites. Also I am sorry that happened with the 2 you purchased.

 

[Conor10]

Sounds like what you are describing is what is known as a horsehair worm. I had a suspicion that it might have been something like that. Its a shame that most centipedes are wc and have a likely possibility of being contaminated with parasites. Also I am sorry that happened with the 2 you purchased.

It was ok for me because I got a full refund, It also strangely happened to my S. Dehaani out of nowhere. Same exact thing, I put it in water and the parasite broke out as it drowned. I also was able to notice the body was decomposing and losing legs. They attach themselves to the brain stem and survive by feeding on the brain. Also they will enter through the mouth or sides, then when put in water the worm will rip out of the top of the head.

 

[Thearachnidaddict]

It was ok for me because I got a full refund, It also strangely happened to my S. Dehaani out of nowhere. Same exact thing, I put it in water and the parasite broke out as it drowned. I also was able to notice the body was decomposing and losing legs. They attach themselves to the brain stem and survive by feeding on the brain. Also they will enter through the mouth or sides, then when put in water the worm will rip out of the top of the head.

that explains alot as some of its legs looked like they were decomposing but I just assumed they were just legs it lost and were regrowing