Chinese Mantis Hasn't eaten for 4 days!

[sbugir]

Hey all,

My baby hasnt eaten for 4 days now and i'm really concerned. Im assuming shes about to molt because she has that greyish cloudy look to her and beats away from prey. I've sprayed her and she is drinking water. Im keeping humidity up just so there isnt a mismolt. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and i have tried feeding her via tweezers. Is it possible that there isnt enough variety?

Steve

 

[PhilinYuma]

Looks as though you have everything covered. I wouldn't leave any crix in with her while she is molting, since they can disturb a molt, and don't bother trying to feed her with forceps. She'll eat when she's ready, after the molt.

 

[Katnapper]

Looks as though you have everything covered. I wouldn't leave any crix in with her while she is molting, since they can disturb a molt, and don't bother trying to feed her with forceps. She'll eat when she's ready, after the molt.

+1

She won't starve or blow away. Mantids can live for about up to 2 weeks without food (not saying you should wait this long between feedings!). But try not to worry.... she will eat when ready, and will likely be fine.

 

[sbugir]

Looks as though you have everything covered. I wouldn't leave any crix in with her while she is molting, since they can disturb a molt, and don't bother trying to feed her with forceps. She'll eat when she's ready, after the molt.

Alright thanks! But your sure shes ready to molt? Her abdomen is bloated and seems to be "breathing" heavily. I mean i've watched her molt before but it wasn't anything this drastic. But ill make sure all crickets are out. Thanks for the info.

 

[sbugir]

+1She won't starve or blow away. Mantids can live for about up to 2 weeks without food (not saying you should wait this long between feedings!). But try not to worry.... she will eat when ready, and will likely be fine.

alright thanks! I'm just too worried haha!

 

[Katnapper]

alright thanks! I'm just too worried haha!

"Newbie Worry"..... it ought to be a scientifically recognized condition. hehe! We've all been there.

 

[superfreak]

the breathing heavy thing is a molting sign. she'll look like shes straining to go to the loo

 

[Peter Clausen]

Also, if the mantis is bloated it does not need to eat. It should be left alone to either molt or digest. Overfed mantises are particularly prone to injury.

 

[hibiscusmile]

How old is she?

 

[sbugir]

How old is she?

I wanna say L4, but now shes L5 She molted last night! she's about 2.5in now!

 

[charleyandbecky]

Some mantids are extremely dramatic before a molt. I started a topic once about my drama queen mantis and the extreme show she put on in the week before a molt. I was never so glad to have a mantis molt to adult. She worried me to death EVERY time. Before her molt into adulthood, she didn't eat for 8 days, carried on like you wouldn't believe.

Rebecca

 

[sbugir]

Some mantids are extremely dramatic before a molt. I started a topic once about my drama queen mantis and the extreme show she put on in the week before a molt. I was never so glad to have a mantis molt to adult. She worried me to death EVERY time. Before her molt into adulthood, she didn't eat for 8 days, carried on like you wouldn't believe. Rebecca

Thanks for the info/story, makes me feel better! Mine seems to be doing alright now, although her appetite hasn't increased much,

 

[charleyandbecky]

It takes a day or two to start eating again...she'll be fine.

 

[elf run1]

one of my males is doing that but hes an adult im pretty sure=/ he is very active though 4 days with no food so far

 

[massaman]

prob still full from the feeding or something as its better not to over feed a mantis and its abdomen could rupture and you would be at a loss!

 

[AmandaLynn]

Your adult male mantis will not over eat. It is normal for adult males to go a few days without food. They don't eat very much. Adult females eat a lot, but not adult males. I've heard of females eating so much that it causes their abdomens to rupture, but it is very rare.

 

[sbugir]

ooooo this is old . Unfortunately my female, whom this thread was about, passed away monday

 

[PhilinYuma]

Hey all,My baby hasnt eaten for 4 days now and i'm really concerned. Im assuming shes about to molt because she has that greyish cloudy look to her and beats away from prey. I've sprayed her and she is drinking water. Im keeping humidity up just so there isnt a mismolt. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and i have tried feeding her via tweezers. Is it possible that there isnt enough variety?

Steve

Sorry, mate, but I reckon that she'll probably be dead in about five more weeks (from Aug 17th, that is).

 

[Katnapper]

ooooo this is old . Unfortunately my female, whom this thread was about, passed away monday

Sorry to hear that.