Indonesian double shield mantis... slowest descent into death

[callisto9]

Sorry for the weird title, but I did'nt know how else to broach this subject.

I got two Indonesian double shield mantids from a seller on here a year ago (Nov 28). Thing 1, I kept, and Thing 2 went to my friend. Thing 2 passed this summer/fall. Never got full-sized and died from some sort of alien parasite. Thing 1 has done really well and is now a year old. Here's photos of him/her when he/she was younger.

Thing one hasn't eaten for weeks. I assumed he'd be dead by now. He was always a voracious eater. But now, he doesn't eat, has trouble staying on the top of the cage and his abdomen hangs down. But he's been in this state for several weeks now. How long do they take to die? Any recommendations to make him comfortable?

 

[callisto9]

Here he is now. Doesn't move around much except when he falls from the top of his cage. Haven't seem him eat anything in at least two weeks.

 

[MantisGirl13]

For one, that is a female, and she is very fat and does not need to eat at the moment. Thing 2 was probably a male and females live MUCH longer than the poor males. I wouldn't worry.

- MantisGirl13

 

[callisto9]

Ah, good to know! I had posted pics of them when they were young and never got a definitive answer on her sex.

Thanks for the info. I'll keep this posted updated.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Great! I am glad I could help! 

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

If she doesn't eat, give her some/honey water to drink, then she get some fluids in her.