Sorry millepedes again!

[captainmerkin]

Hi one of my giant african millipedes seems to be doing something wierd.. I'm not sure if its laying? eggs (or live young?) or shedding its skin.

But from its rear end something seems to be coming out and poking into the substrate, it is not segmented like the body and is a slightly greyish colour compared to the black and red of the millipede.

I disturbed her earlier and noticed something retract from the substrate and back into the rear of the millipede, I guess this must be the same thing.

I cannot take a picture due to the angle and not being able to get my camera into where it is amongst the ferns either.. goes without saying I am not going to take her out to have a closer look

Sorry to impose these questions but you have all been helpful with lots of things and I am a novice with these millipedes!

Feel free to post into the health section but I was hoping for fast response before I panic!

 

[Hypoponera]

It sounds like your millipede is trying to deposit an egg. The eggs are individually "wrapped" and placed. The wrapped egg is retracted into the anus to remove excess water. Once the egg pellet is done, it is placed into the substrate.

 

[ABbuggin]

Remember this is a general discussions about mantids...please post in other discussions.

Don't worry about it too much I have done the same thing. :roll:

 

[captainmerkin]

It took a huge dump..........

what do the eggs look like? because I really don't know if that was a poo or an egg, mucus covered brown things that it dug a hole to bury?

hopefully it will be an egg!