half of limb lost during molt

[MantidFan760]

Hi all! I have a young mantis that I am raising, and today it lost half of one of it's front 'raptoral' legs. Right now he's just over 2" long. I read that those two front limbs don't regrow. Is that true? I don't see how he can catch and hold prey missing that spiny limb section. Please tell me I'm wrong and that he can manage, but my gut feeling says it's not good...

Thanks.

John

 

[MantidFan760]

Well I'm sad to report that he has already died. I guess there were more molt complications than just the limb? Anyway, I have an egg sac that should be hatching any day now so I'll save a few of those and put the rest in the garden.

 

[Rick]

They can regrow the front legs but they will often by smaller than normal.