Hour 7 of molting

[SMUG BUG]

I've been sitting here with my little guy for about 7 hours and he's not making alot of progress molting, all that seem to be left in the old skin are his arms and feet. How long should I let him stay like that? He's probably about l3 going into l4 if I had to guess and he doesn't seem to be trying too hard to get out.

 

[Velve]

That's a mismolt. The actual molting process should only take around 15-20 minutes. They will quickly harden and deformations will stay until a potential later molt.

 

[SMUG BUG]

Do I intervene? Is he done for? It' now almost 8 am I've been up all night waiting to see if he ever comes out

 

[SMUG BUG]

 

[Velve]

Sorry, but the mantis can't be helped. All legs are completely crippled.

 

[SMUG BUG]

The legs are mostly out, did you see the picture?

 

[Velve]

They hardened in an incorrect position. Even if you pull them out now, it won't be able to use them.

 

[SMUG BUG]

Understood. I pulled him out he's all messed up I should have intervened sooner

 

[Ocelotbren]

So sorry that happened.  I once had a Chinese mantis get stuck in a similar way when molting to adult and I had to put her down.  Even if you could get the legs out, the bend in the body could cause internal problems too.  Sorry for your loss.

 

[River Dane]

You might be able to hand feed him, but the problem will be with the next molt. I’m sorry for your loss. It’s hard to know when to intervene because there’s always so much stress about not interfering. But hopefully you’ll be able to help with the next mantis you have that has this problem. Maybe higher humidity, too.

Let him rest someplace nice.

—D.E.

 

[Serle]

That's a mismolt. The actual molting process should only take around 15-20 minutes. They will quickly harden and deformations will stay until a potential later molt.

I have to concur with velve after a certain amount of time (1 hour) the new exoskeleton  will harden into that deformity . I have tried to rescue such a mismoult without success , sorry ............. S

 

[Mantis Lady]

Poor little thing so sad to see him hanging there.