I posted a thread a few weeks back asking about daily routines with your mantids. Today I was in the process of cleaning the tanks and decided to let them all out in their usual spots. When I went to take the Asian nymphs out one of them walked around my hand for a few seconds, stopped looked around curiously, then found a warm spot just below my finger nail on my index finger and laid down, legs stretched out and hanging comfortably over the edges of the finger. It then lowered it's abdomen slowly onto my finger then did the oddest thing I've seen yet. It laid it's head down onto my finger with it's arms stretched forward but folded under and went to sleep. When ever I would attempt to move it or whatever it would slide slowly sideways a bit and turn it's head the opposite way and go back to sleep. I really wish I had a camera with a lens which could capture this because my family didn't believe it until they came walking in to see it for themselves!!! It is still just laying there while I am typing this thread!! Weird!!! Or maybe as my nephew said it's just because of the warmth?!! :?
giant Asian Mantis nymph sleeping on finger...
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Asa
Well-known member
It might be preparing for a molt and won't be budged. Or it could be near death. I have never witnessed a mantis sleep.
OGIGA
Dead Leaf Mantis
Wow, I think I'd like to have a napping mantis too!
You Know I thought about that too, the molting thing but it just molted last week and is in great health as far as I know. It is up now walking around. It eats well, it's not sickly acting (like my orchid was before it died) it's just a weird little guy. It did the same thing with my nephew for a short while then sat up looking around curiously like they do and is...just fine!! That was one of my questions, like how many members out there handle their mantids from time to time when they are receptive? So, far all has been fine. When they don't seem to want to be bothered we just leave em alone. Other than that we handle them carefully all of the time without any hazards or problems. Except once in a while one may not want to go back into their tanks. But that's about it!
Asa
Well-known member
Cool 
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robo mantis
Well-known member
I think they don't need to sleep considering they don't realy move that much.
athicks
Well-known member
Hahaha
That's cute! I was typing with a mantid on my hand yesterday.
That's cute! I was typing with a mantid on my hand yesterday.
:wink: he's in Love, how cute, makes me wanna go get al of mine out and see if they will sleep with me, maybe hubby... no better not go there!
Asa
Well-known member
Sleep with their eyes open...nope too weird.
Borya
Well-known member
I think it just wants to warm from your finger. My hierodulas sometimes do the same, mostly the small nymphs. Looks very cute.
Asa
Well-known member
I wouldn't know. Everybody complains my hands are frigid.
Kriss
Well-known member
It sounds like your mantid is crouching down to look inconspicous. Hiding itself from a potential threat.
Could be thirsty with its mouth parts on your hand but if it wasn't moving to find moisture then its unlikely.
Or, finding the warmth on your hand it might be crouching to warm up its own body. Never heard of it before though, but possible.
The idea of it coming up to a molt is a good one. I find a mantid will move less and less when close to molting.
Could be thirsty with its mouth parts on your hand but if it wasn't moving to find moisture then its unlikely.
Or, finding the warmth on your hand it might be crouching to warm up its own body. Never heard of it before though, but possible.
The idea of it coming up to a molt is a good one. I find a mantid will move less and less when close to molting.
Asa
Well-known member
Kriss wrote:
It sounds like your mantid is crouching down to look inconspicous. Hiding itself from a potential threat./end
Now that's a more likely solution.
Sorry, the quote thing messed up.
It sounds like your mantid is crouching down to look inconspicous. Hiding itself from a potential threat./end
Now that's a more likely solution.
Sorry, the quote thing messed up.
Same thing I have a giant Asian mantis and about 2 sheds old first time iv seen it to but she just played down on the side of my finger first thing I thought of was the warmth aswell cuz she seems to be in great health eating very well and moving around but love me to be held when I take the lid of she sits of the container corner and waves her mandibles tell I put my finger close enough for her to climb on
