I did some research and it appears that I did get the wrong species. When I actually looked into it, it became quite obvious that I have Sphodromantis lineola nymphs. I ordered H. membranacea and didn't really know what to expect. I just assumed that's what they were. After viewing different photos of people's giant asian nymphs, I just started to doubt that's what I had. It's ironic, actually, as I was originally thinking about ordering S. lineola, but decided to go with H. membranacea at the last minute.
crippled baby
- Thread starter hibiscusmile
- Start date
Help Support Mantidforum:
kamakiri
Well-known member
Well, it's not that unusual behavior compared to one mantis I observed in the 'wild'. Returned to the same rose bush through several instars.
Awwwwhh!! Poor little dude. I had one like that a while back also which I had to hand feed until his next molt. I felt so bad because I was right there when he was struggling to get the skin off of his arms. he was chewing away and pulling and all. then I just took the tweezers and a needle and worked the skin off along with him but it was too late. His arms were useless for a while. I thought he was going to have a hard time during the next moult but he did very well!!! "Well done!!" I said to him!!! 
But, as for your little guy finding his way back to his little pad, That's awesome!!!! I have never seen that happen I must say. The most I have seen is a runt of a Chinese little dude we called "Chewie" ( when he was L3 I had a meeting here at the house and when my people arrived I had him out to clean his tank and decided to let him hang out on my hand during the meeting. while he sat he just kept chewing on the skin on my hand <_< ) Anyway when I would let him out for feeding or just to get out he would wander off in minutes and I would always find him in the same exact place... 4ft across my living room under the stand which houses my desktop right up in the corner under the table where the table leg connects to the top!! Everytime he'd wander he'd go there!
But, as for your little guy finding his way back to his little pad, That's awesome!!!! I have never seen that happen I must say. The most I have seen is a runt of a Chinese little dude we called "Chewie" ( when he was L3 I had a meeting here at the house and when my people arrived I had him out to clean his tank and decided to let him hang out on my hand during the meeting. while he sat he just kept chewing on the skin on my hand <_< ) Anyway when I would let him out for feeding or just to get out he would wander off in minutes and I would always find him in the same exact place... 4ft across my living room under the stand which houses my desktop right up in the corner under the table where the table leg connects to the top!! Everytime he'd wander he'd go there!
Awesome, sk8erkho, I know outside they tend to go back to where they were, but inside is incredible, I only say that because they did not make their own way there, we put them where they are going to be. I lost a mystery mantis (now) the other day, and I put his cup back where it last was hoping now to see if it returns!
Well he molted, one are looks good the other is worse, I fed him today and he is still eating good, I have a tiny orchid with same problem, but it is eating good to.
