Millipede molting or dead?

[kaciealissa]

I recently purchased two ivory millipedes, one is a baby and the other is about 3 inches. I haven’t seen the bigger one in a few days but I’m not familiar with molting behavior and this is my first millipede. I know you’re not supposed to dig into the substrate so Should I assume he’s molting or dig for him a little on the surface to make sure he’s not dead?

 

[BugLord]

Assume he's molting - If he's dead, you'll smell it across your room (like rotten crab shells I've heard). Plus digging him up is too much of a risk, just let him come up on his own.

Hope that helps,
Dagan H.

 

[ReignofInvertebrates]

How long has it been since you’ve seen it? This is very normal millipede behavior so I’d wait a good while before digging them up.

 

[kaciealissa]

How long has it been since you’ve seen it? This is very normal millipede behavior so I’d wait a good while before digging them up.

Just three days

 

[BugLord]

Just three days

Then it should be completely fine, some even go under for months.

 

[MadMilli]

My ivories have seen record times of 2-3 months under the substrate during key molts when they were younger. It’s so scary but normal!

 

[BugLord]

My ivories have seen record times of 2-3 months under the substrate during key molts when they were younger. It’s so scary but normal!

My Thai rainbows and ivories have been under soooo long, but they'll soon pop up with bigger, shiney bodies lolll