HELP! Heat Stroke!

[lancaster1313]

All, right, I'll know from now on not to let them out in the heat! I can't believe your carolinas started dying that quickly? How old were they? Yeah, I would never put them next to an air conditioner and cool them down quickly - I know that quick temperature changes can be deadly. Thanks for the suggestion though, Extrememantid. My suggestion next time your mantids get heat stroke is that you bring them inside and offer them water.

Those Carolinas we're first and second instar nymphs. It was a long time ago, but I remember that their abdomens started wiggling in a strange way and I knew right away that I had made a horrible mistake.

 

[aNisip]

I would refrain from getting them wet. You're probably thinking the water will evaporate off of their bodies and cool them like our sweat does on us. However on an insect that does not produce its own heat, the water will not evaporate quickly enough to cool. Or at least that is my thinking here.

The reason misting mantids, that have experienced heat stroke, is advised is because the cool water it supposed to lower the mantises temp and help rejuvenate them...

Ok for several other people in this topic; never put a mantis outside in direct sun in any enclosure...and it's not that they don't need sunlight but more that is not how they should attain it...it wouldn't hurt to once in awhile to take your mantis on a trip outside, cage free...let them bask in the sun or enjoy the fresh air...being kept in a cage your whole life gets pretty boring...but be careful if he or she is adult, they might take advantage of being outside and fly (males are more prone to flying)...and to sun up, never take your eye off of him or her...they will 'disappear'

All the best,

Andrew

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Likebugs: Oh, how horrible... I feel sorry for you, and for them!

AndrewNisip: I let my praying mantids out all the time. They are very spoiled........

 

[aNisip]

I let my praying mantids out all the time. They are very spoiled........

My mantids enjoy their time outside

 

[lancaster1313]

I have never had a problem bringing older nymphs and adults out onto my shaded porch. I even recall a temperature change when doing it. I usually bring one at a time, then take them out of the container. It is funny to see them watch the cars go by.

I just won't do it when it is really hot.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Yep, I bring them out a lot.

Speaking of cars and mantids, twice I've seen a mantid in the road and had my mom stop the car so I could jump out and grab it If there is a mantid within 50 feet of me, I generally spot it. Last night my mom and I were out walking and I saw a mantid, and picked it up without her even noticing

I'll be more careful bringing them outside from now on. I don't want them to get heat stroke again. Little Seamus molted to adulthood today, and he's perfectly fine. Heat stroke didn't in any way affect him.

 

[lancaster1313]

Yep, I bring them out a lot.

Speaking of cars and mantids, twice I've seen a mantid in the road and had my mom stop the car so I could jump out and grab it If there is a mantid within 50 feet of me, I generally spot it. Last night my mom and I were out walking and I saw a mantid, and picked it up without her even noticing

I'll be more careful bringing them outside from now on. I don't want them to get heat stroke again. Little Seamus molted to adulthood today, and he's perfectly fine. Heat stroke didn't in any way affect him.

I am glad that you didn't lose Seamus.

But, I am envious that you just spot mantids in random places.

 

[brancsikia339]

At least seamus is ok how do you find mantises everywhere

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Haha I joke that I have mantisdar. (mantis radar) Look for plants that have a lot of leaves sticking out. I find most of mine on mare's tail weeds. Here's a picture of one off wikipedia

Just try to look 'through' the weed for mantises. I could go outside and see a mantis any time I wanted to. I could have hundreds In fact, I saw one last night outside at midnight....

OK, so we're getting a little off topic here. If any of you want to open a seperate topic on this subject, send me the link and I could help you there I'm glad Seamus is okay too. He's sure a handsome adult

 

[brancsikia339]

OK, so we're getting a little off topic here. If any of you want to open a seperate topic on this subject, send me the link and I could help you there

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=26784

 

[Termite48]

As with human babies, first and second instar mantid nymphs cannot take the extremes of temperature as well as can the larger instars. I keep mine a few days a week outdide in net cubes, but the thing that I have todo is make sure that as the sun travels, there will be no time when the enclosure is not shaded. I do have a covered porch and therefore except for the perimeter, there is always shade available. They love the light, the breezes and the fact that they are outside. I lost quite a few valuable nymphs during the learning process concerning this matter. They will be fine if they are never in direct sunlight. Even some plants do not like the intense rays of the sun.