A pleasant surprise to end my first week

[whimsyandreverie]

(Pardon the terrible picture quality)

Ramble time:

This past week has been... Interesting. Following the arrival of my Creos last Thursday, I had immediately realized the enclosures I had initially set up for them were far too large for them at their current size (spacial reasoning is a concept I definitely struggle with more than I'd like to admit ), and after a sleepless night I managed to throw something together out of some disposable sauce cups and other materials I had lying around - a messy solution that I'm almost certain I've exerted more energy on than was actually necessary in my rush to get them done so quickly. And after corralling my new friends into their temporary homes, I decided to give them a housewarming meal - meanwhile also unleashing a small torrent of escaping fruit flies into my homestead and nearly losing a few mantids in the chaos (I managed to keep the mantids under my control, but sadly, I must say, there are quite a lot of fruit flies sharing my home now ) Admittedly, this week has been trying, and I've honestly been worried that maybe I'm not the right person for this. My partner had told me, as I worried about my babies' health on a break at work, that parenthood is a time riddled with trial and error, and that it was a constant learning process. I've tried to take that to heart...

So yesterday as I was getting ready to leave for work I check on my mantids to find they have quite a bit of poop on the paper towels, and bits of fruit fly remains... Everywhere... But at this point I don't have much time to clean them so I opt to take care of it after I got home. And so after work, I made a quick dinner and got to work taking each enclosure off my shelf and onto a table to clean each one by one. That was when I got to this final enclosure. As I placed it on the table I noticed this little guy looked a little strange, and realized they were molting. It was absolutely incredible! I was honestly super scared I'd disturbed them, but after about an hour of just sitting there watching in total awe, it ended up being a successful molt! Now, at this point, I've already had three molt, but while I was at work or asleep. Honestly watching this guy emerge from their old skin was simply incredible and kinda just felt super reassuring. The miracle of life is just so breath taking, and I feel after witnessing yet another example of nature's many beauties I have strengthened my resolve. These are such wonderful creatures and I'm so happy to have them as a part of my family.

 

[Graceface]

It is a treat to see them molt! Glad you got to witness it  

Have you tried chilling your fruit flies before trying to feed? Just 5 minutes in the fridge makes them slow and easy to tap into enclosures. I also use a plastic cup that has the sides greased with a small amount of petroleum jelly. I tap flies from the culture into the greased cup. They have trouble climbing the sides and you get fewer escapees that way. 

I feel your pain as I am a worry wart of a person and tend to obsess a bit over my mantis babies and their well being. I'm sure you are doing a bang up job caring for them. As you grow accustomed to caring for your mantis and grow more confident, it will be easier to handle the stress and worry you feel as a beginner. 

Good luck and congrats on the molt! 

 

[whimsyandreverie]

Thank you so much @Graceface! I've yet to try the freezer trick, as our freezer seems to always be full, and the greased cup trick failed me pretty bad - literally all the flies I poured out escaped. I won't give up though! I'll keep experimenting until I've found a decent way to go about this ☺

 

[Cole 78]

Wow, stressful week. Way to end things on a good note!!

 

[whimsyandreverie]

@Cole 78 Oh definitely! I wasn't anticipating quite so many hiccups, but it's definitely moments like this that make it all feel worth it! 

 

[ohaple]

Thank you so much @Graceface! I've yet to try the freezer trick, as our freezer seems to always be full, and the greased cup trick failed me pretty bad - literally all the flies I poured out escaped. I won't give up though! I'll keep experimenting until I've found a decent way to go about this ☺

First week is somewhat stressful since it is all new and their behavior is a bit alien, but before long you will hardly give it a second thought. We only spend a few minutes misting each day and maybe 15-20 minutes feeding a few times a week now unless we are just trying to spend time enjoying them. You will get in a good groove with them.

 

[whimsyandreverie]

@ohaple It certainly feels like over got a lot of adjusting to do. These are such fascinating creatures, and definitely unlike anything I've ever handled before!

 

[Mantis Lady]

Gratz on the molt. You will get used to care for this facinatig insects.

 

[whimsyandreverie]

@Little Mantis Thank you! I think this will be an exciting adventure!

 

[ausar318]

and their behavior is a bit alien

Is that a pun?

anyway, congrats on the molt! Seeing a molt is one of the coolest things about owning mantids. And if you think it’s cool when they’re young, just wait until they’re bigger. My best advice to you is to always keep a camera close, just in case you feel like taking a quick snapshot from time to time

 

[whimsyandreverie]

@ausar318 Thank you! I can't wait to see them molt when they get bigger. I imagine that'll be a stunning sight! And I'll definitely keep a camera on hand whenever I'm around my mantids! They're such wonderful creatures to observe

 

[Graceface]

Thank you so much @Graceface! I've yet to try the freezer trick, as our freezer seems to always be full, and the greased cup trick failed me pretty bad - literally all the flies I poured out escaped. I won't give up though! I'll keep experimenting until I've found a decent way to go about this ☺

There is a "right" amount of petroleum jelly for sure, too much and they stick to it, too little and they climb right out. I use a cup that has a lid, just in case. I would put your flies in the fridge for 5 min and not use the freezer, I've had flies die in 30 seconds to a minute of the freezer. The fridge is safe, the freezer not so much.

I also use a big bowl under my greased cup when I fill it with fruit flies from my culture, that way if any escape the feeding cup they stay in the bowl and are easier to catch. 

It is always a treat to catch a mantis molting. I saw a couple of my Orchids during their molt to adult and it was soooo cool! Nothing like seeing them inflating those wings

 

[whimsyandreverie]

That's super helpful advice. Thank you so much @Graceface, I'll definitely be sure to implement those techniques on their next feeding session!