Mysterious Flag Tail Accident

[dragonofend]

Just found my flag tail centipede (exact species unknown) listless in his water dish. His back legs were still holding onto some sphagnum moss outside the dish. When I pulled him out I noticed his water had a clear purple tinge to it. Also, his antennae and back legs were stained purple. He’s about 2.75 inches body length. I don’t know what happened or why. I’m still hoping he might start waking up since I heard pedes can survive drowning but it still looks pretty bleak. Anyone know why the water was purple or how long pedes can survive drowning?

 

[dragonofend]

I might have figured it out. It’s most likely his own blood. I’m guessing he ruptured something internally, though I don’t know how.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I don't think he drowned to be honest, that water dish doesn't look deep at all.

Almost all flagtail centipedes are WC, so it may just have been his time to pass.

 

[dragonofend]

I’ll upload a side picture of the dish later just to verify. I didn’t know his age, but I wasn’t sure if he was full size given the length listed online doesn’t say if it’s body length or not. He did have a very relaxed demeanor, very open to handling, so based on that I thought he might be adult. I really hope it was just his time. If that’s the case, are there any signs I can look out for going forward to know if it’s old age? He let some of his legs bend weirdly when resting but was able to use them all fluidly.

 

[Ravn]

A lot of centipedes turn purple or blue as they are decaying, especially small ones. I ha a flag tail die in the water dish a couple of years ago too. It could be that they seek out water when they are dying, but the reason for dying is almost impossible to find out unless there is visible damage or parasites