Found a dying mantis outside

[CosbyArt]

Wonderful story and photos, she looks great. Sounds like a experience you will have fond memories of, minus her biting you.

It's your choice, but I'd bring her inside permanently to avoid a cold death, and share more time together.

 

[LAME]

I'd have to agree with CosbyArt, I too would've kept her indoors for the winter.

 

[Bugmankeith]

Last I saw her she was slowing down, and when she was captive before she wouldn't hunt live prey so I would have to hand feed which is harder than it sounds. She left her spot and I haven't seen her so either she died or found a better place.

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah, I would bring her in. That's how I started with my mantids. I saved 2 from the cold last year and they laid A LOT of eggs! I didn't have any cages so I put them on my plants and fed them crickets and put some sticks in the plant soil for them to lay eggs. They stayed on the plants and I had no trouble with my cats! At least this way, you could get at least 1 ooth from her, and then could can watch them hatch next year! (I don't know, but if it is that cold she might die before laying eggs?)

 

[Bugmankeith]

Not sure if I updated, but since my last post in November I had brought her in and kept her she ate just fine.

Today she passed away from old age, she was in my care for 4 months as an adult and laid 5 ootheca which are outside so they hatch in summer to continue her legacy. So let's say she hatched in June 2014, that made her total lifespan almost 9 months, keep in mind her entire life was lived outside up until November so that's damn good to live an additional 4 months plus surviving the cold weather she endured until I brought her in, plus lay 5 more ootheca, who knows how many she laid before November!

She will be missed but at least she lived a full, long life.

 

[dmina]

Yes she did...and I am sure she really enjoyed the indoor part... that is nice you will have her nymphs around... Sorry for your loss.... we tend to get attached.

 

[CosbyArt]

Glad to see you did bring her in.

Amazing she made it to February, she had a new lease on life for sure. Congrats on the ooths and the friend, I bet those were some of her happiest days. Do you plan on keeping any of her nymphs?

 

[Bugmankeith]

Glad to see you did bring her in.

Amazing she made it to February, she had a new lease on life for sure. Congrats on the ooths and the friend, I bet those were some of her happiest days. Do you plan on keeping any of her nymphs?

I have tried keeping nymphs and they didn't do to well I ended up letting them go, so I'm going to have the nymphs stay wild but I'm sure I will see them around my property!

 

[CosbyArt]

I have tried keeping nymphs and they didn't do to well I ended up letting them go, so I'm going to have the nymphs stay wild but I'm sure I will see them around my property!

I know what you mean it can be hit or miss on raising them. I bet you will see plenty around your property.