Final Molt Issues

[Teamonger]

So one of my girls has been trying to complete her final molt since this morning. Its been over 5 hours since I seen her start and she's not even managed to get her head/upper body out of the old skin. I looked for some molting videos and they all seem to be about 2 to 4 hours long. 

Is she stuck? Is there anything I can do to help? I'm guessing not but I have to ask just incase.

 

[Sarah K]

Usually if they don't make any progress after that much time, they are stuck. You might not be able to do anything for her, if she hasn't even managed to get her head/upper body out of the old skin yet.  The best you can do is try to add extra humidity to her cage by spraying around her, don't spray her directly though, or she could get dislodged from her molting perch, which is even worse.   

 

[Teamonger]

@Sarah K Already done hours ago. I sprayed around her and moved the humidifier right next to her cage but no luck. At this point I think the only think I could try would be to help cut her out but that seems crazy risky  

 

[Serle]

@Teamonger Unfortunate to hear , I tried to save one similar to your's , after an hour I had to let it go .  They are some time bent in a poor position too long .... S

 

[Teamonger]

Yeah, I tried drastic measures with a pair of scissors just in case but I think its time to put the poor girl in the freezer. 

 

[Jessie]

Hugs

 

[Teamonger]

Thanks all, I had to put poor Rogue down after the drastic measures with a small pair of scissors didn't work (as expected). Pretty bummed as that now makes 4 out of 7 mantises I picked and named that have died for one reason or another while the rest of the brood is having no problems at all. Maybe I should just start numbering them instead....