izbiggs
Well-known member
A crazy thing happened yesterday! I ordered an African mantis, and I got two in the mail. I got an extra! 
But I noticed one of them was curled up and not moving and dry-looking. Thinking it was dead, I held it in my palm. But it was wiggling and twitching, and when a fresh, green head emerged, I realized it was molting. In my hand!!
I quickly set up its habitat and gently lowered it onto a piece of mesh. I was certain it was going to die. I kept checking on it and it just stood still, drying.
And, 24 hours later, it has dried and it's doing great! It survived being taken out of the container and put on my palm mid-molt, and after shedding its skin, being put in a new habitat and drying with a new humidity and environment. No deformities! It walks a little tiny bit funky, though.
It ate two fruit flies after the molt.
Here it is on my hand! Just thought I'd share.
But I noticed one of them was curled up and not moving and dry-looking. Thinking it was dead, I held it in my palm. But it was wiggling and twitching, and when a fresh, green head emerged, I realized it was molting. In my hand!!
I quickly set up its habitat and gently lowered it onto a piece of mesh. I was certain it was going to die. I kept checking on it and it just stood still, drying.
And, 24 hours later, it has dried and it's doing great! It survived being taken out of the container and put on my palm mid-molt, and after shedding its skin, being put in a new habitat and drying with a new humidity and environment. No deformities! It walks a little tiny bit funky, though.
It ate two fruit flies after the molt.
Here it is on my hand! Just thought I'd share.
