A probe for safety

ID: Centipede

An interesting encounter for the new year, turned up few rocks, on the newly ‘laid path’ along the nature trail, anticipating some scorpions that could be taking refuge from the cold wintery morning. Though out of luck for the predatory arachnids, lucky to spot this glossy maroon predator of a different sort. This tiny, vibrant, centipede seemed to have positioned itself under a pile of loose mud, may be a way to stay away even in the deep crevice, and, not sure what exactly happened here, but could spot it moving around its antenna, almost 360degres, through the small peep hole while keeping its exposed body as still as possible. The random motion of the antenna almost seemed as if it was trying to probe the situation and trying to understand if it was under any threat from any predator.

EXIF:
Canon 80D
Canon 100mm macro + raynox
F/14
Shutterspeed 1/160
ISO 320
Rested on ground, External flash fired

Location: Nagla trail

Good you could spot the small centipede and observe this interesting behavior. Each species has a way to judge its surroundings to analyse possible threats/predators. Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.