Maggottail was born into SkyClan, named Dashkit due to his speed. He is black tom with a white tail-tip and splash on his nose with yellow eyes. As an apprentice, Dashpaw was dared to race a young fox, but instead the fox bit his tail. Dashpaw's tail became infected with maggots and his Clanmates teased him with the nickname 'Maggottail'

It didn't help that Bloomstar, the leader of the clan, made that his warrior name, following his recovery from the incident.