How to tell if millipede is deceased?

[Bugs and Herps]

My juvenile A. gigas was not seen for several months so I decided to do a little digging and check on him. I found him curled up in a hollow in the substrate, unmoving. I’m hoping he’s alive because he doesn’t smell bad, and he isn’t dried out or anything, but he is totally unmoving. I’ve placed him on top of a piece of cork so I can easily see if he moves. If he doesn’t I guess he’s a goner does anyone have a way of reliably telling if a millipede is dead? Rather than shedding or something. Definitely don’t want to assume he’s dead if he’s still got life in him.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I think it is pretty obvious.

 

[Sterls]

Sounds like you just dug it up while it was molting. They'll disappear for long periods of time during this process, taking refuge in a cavity underground.

He wasn't dying before, but since you dug him out he might be now. They are extremely fragile during this process, same as other inverts. It's very possible you caused internal damage. All you can really do is wait.

Dead millipedes are usually limp, not curled up. At least not all the way. Don't know if I'd recommend reburying him. I'd at least put the cork over him if you can do so safely. Wish you the best.

 

[Bugs and Herps]

Well, <edit>. I figured he was molting, but it freaked me out to have him gone for so long. Curse my anxiety. I covered him with another piece of cork so hopefully he pulls through.

 

[BepopCola]

Yup, sounds like it was molting. A dead millipede will quickly fall apart.
I don't recommend re-burying it. Covering it with the cork was good.
I've had some molt on the surface and I covered them with a plastic bowl that had a crack on the bottom, it has worked out fine so far!

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

I'd dig it up and set it on top. They can molt with dirt on them but collapsed dirt can result in deadly deformities. It it's not immobile it will remake a cell.

 

[Bugs and Herps]

Good news! After a tense several days where it didn’t move, it molted on the surface and is now munching on its exoskeleton.