Help!

[Marcy]

Hello everyone...

This is my first time here and I

desperately need some advice or help....and a little bit of luck.

Went outside about 5 hours ago and happened to notice that there was a praying mantis stuck in a fly trap that I had hanging on my back porch. How it got there I don't know. But, after about an hour of painstakingly trying to remove it from the icky gluey type stuff (mind you, through tears the whole time, just hoping that I didn't hurt it or make anything worse), I was able to free him. I know didly squat about caring for a mantis and I'm not sure there is anything I can do. I was able to quickly furnish a habitat for him and provide all the necessities for him. I've spent the last few hours researching the care for them, and I think I've got it all covered....with one exception....obviously he still has this gluey stuff still stuck on certain areas of his body. He is able to move about, but it's not easy what with sticking to things and all. I put some dirt in his cage hoping that maybe the sticky areas could get covered and perhaps eventually wear off.

I just don't know what else to do for the poor thing. I'm soooo hoping this isn't a lost cause.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated....and if you could, keep your fingers crossed for "him"

 

[Marcy]

Well....since making my initial post, I've continued reading and researching various things about mantids on the internet.

It's my understanding that they generally die in the fall anyways? How very sad...I've only had mine for about 9 hours now, and I've already grown quite fond of him. I've been keeping a close eye on him all night as I've been so worried over him.

What an interesting and fun little creature to watch.

He seems to be getting along okay...too bad I seem to have saved him just in time for his death

 

[Rick]

How about just releasing it after you have enjoyed it for awhile? Welcome to the site.

 

[Marcy]

I can't tell you how excited I am to have woken up today to find "my" mantis alive and well

Perhaps his being covered with that sticky glue type stuff isn't as disastrous as I thought? I will definitely release him if you think that is the best thing for him. I just didn't feel right putting him back outside in his condition yesterday.

Thank you so very much for responding.

I'm sure it must sound silly to be so concerned over an insect that I've had for less than 24 hours....but, if anyone would understand, I'm sure it's the people here.

 

[d0rk2dafullest]

welcome to the site!

 

[The_Asa]

I'm glad he's doing better. They can fascinate you for hours at a time can't they? Like cats, except without the mooching part :lol:

I would release him back into the wild in a couple of days, just because it will be difficult for you to furnish food and other necessities for him. Then, once you learn better how, you can purchase some other species, some with crazy personalities

 

[hibiscusmile]

Hi Marcy, I disagree with the majority for this subject. The fly tape, has a sweet smell to it and it will attrack many bugs to it, or birds and the like. I would keep it and put some evergree twigs or something outdoorsy smelly and it will be ok, you can take him out of his container and take a flour sifter or hand sifter and sprinkle some flour on his sticky parts, this will be like putting baby powder on a baby, it will then be more comfortable. Blow any extra off as you don't want to smother it. If it does not live for any reason and you would like to start mantis keeping, I will send you one, just pay for the shipping. Hope this helps.

 

[Marcy]

Thanks for your input Asa!

hibiscusmile ~ Thank you for the advice. I will give that a try. The dirt seemed to work well enough for his legs, but I'm still concerned about his wings. I will give the flour idea a try. He's really getting along quite well today and doesn't seem to be sticking to things as he was yesterday. I managed to catch a couple flies and he ate those today. They were small...I hope that was enough. He isn't very big at all though. Maybe 2 inches...and thin.

And thank you so much for your offer! That is so incredibly nice of you! I must admit, I've really taken a liking to them. I've always admired them outside, but never considered keeping one as a pet. I do travel several times a year, so I just may have to ask my dog sitter how she feels about feeding one for me while I'm away....I will definitely keep your offer in mind, and again, thank you...

 

[hibiscusmile]

Your welcome and good to hear he is doing ok.

 

[Marcy]

Hey~

Just thought I should drop in and give an update...

Last Friday I woke up to find my mantis doing okay, but seemed a little sluggish in comparison to the prior day. I decided I needed to let him go. So, I found a nice little spot in my yard for him and set him free. I went outside to check on him about every hour. He didn't venture far from where I put him. Later that evening I again went out to check on him...I found him in the same area, only he seemed to be missing his head :huh: I suppose this can mean one of two things....I'm hoping he got lucky

 

[Headspace]

Hey~Just thought I should drop in and give an update...

Last Friday I woke up to find my mantis doing okay, but seemed a little sluggish in comparison to the prior day. I decided I needed to let him go. So, I found a nice little spot in my yard for him and set him free. I went outside to check on him about every hour. He didn't venture far from where I put him. Later that evening I again went out to check on him...I found him in the same area, only he seemed to be missing his head :huh: I suppose this can mean one of two things....I'm hoping he got lucky

Maybe he did, maybe he found a bird (or a bird found him). It seems a little late in the year for Mantis in my neck of the woods.

Where do you live? What kind of Mantis was it that you found? It's getting colder in this region (Northern NJ), but I've never seen a mantis out here in the wild anyway.