Bent back leg(s)?

[Zephyr]

Two of my Chinese mantids have slightly bent tibias on their rear legs. It seems like it's the right side on each. (they're bowed out.)

What caused this? Is it a problem?

They're moving around just fine...

 

[kamakiri]

I think it's usually lack of good space to molt. Sometimes, just bad luck on the selection of place to molt. I suspect it can also be from the lack of humidity if the legs are hard to pull out of the old exo, but then that's usually both back legs that get bent. A fall late in the molt cycle can caus it too. You'd probably have to watch to know what went wrong in a specific case.

 

[Zephyr]

Lack of horizontal space or lack of vertical space?

 

[Rick]

Lack of horizontal space or lack of vertical space?

Normally vertical. Or it could have happened under ideal conditions. It should correct itself on the next molt.

 

[Zephyr]

Normally vertical. Or it could have happened under ideal conditions. It should correct itself on the next molt.

Alright, thanks.

There's a good 6 inches beneath it of open space... Must have been a freak occurence. :blink:

 

[AmandaLynn]

That happens pretty frequently with mine. It happens when one foot gets stuck in the old exoskeleton after molting and hardens. The old skin will eventually fall off but your mantis leg will likely curl out until it molts again.

 

[jameslongo]

That happens pretty frequently with mine. It happens when one foot gets stuck in the old exoskeleton after molting and hardens. The old skin will eventually fall off but your mantis leg will likely curl out until it molts again.

This occurence mightn't be as uncommon as you think in Tenodera sp., Zephr. I had the same 'wonky hind legs' problem with my purple-wings. They will hopefully be rectified in the next moult.