Laying Flat

[Jessie M]

I found one of my two L4 Orchid Mantids very flat against on the underside of her enclosure lid. Even after removing it and placing it down so that she was right-side up she still remained laying very flat. I presented her with water in a few different ways in case she was dehydrated and she popped right up but had no interest in the water at all. She just wanted to climb and explore. I let her walk around for a while and she was back to normal! She's not expected to molt soon, I know she's been eating, and she's obviously not acting sluggish, so I'm not too worried. But I can't find any resources that say mantids of any age will lay flat for any reason. Hoping to get more information here!

 

[Predatorhousepet]

Sometimes my orchid will lay flat in my hand if a person she hasn't seen before gets too close or if she catches sight of my (very large) dog. As far as I can tell they do it to "hide" by making their body outline less visible. Maybe something startled her so she felt the need to be less visible for a while. Mantises can differentiate between individual people, you are her caregiver so she is used to you and feels safe around you...which is why she was fine to walk around and explore when you got her out.

 

[Mystymantis]

My Giant Asians love to lay flat against a surface, some press themselves tightly against the lid others like to press themselves tightly and flat against a stick. I think it is just part of their behavior.  Maybe they are trying to camouflage. As long as your Orchid seems healthy she should be fine. 

 

[Jessie M]

Thank you both for confirming this behavior is normal!! I think I was making too much noise/movement when misting the enclosure and feeder my other mantis right next to the "flat one". It all makes sense now. Thanks again!

 

[MantisGirl13]

My mantids also have done that in the past. It is nothing to worry about.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Yep, normal behavior of a mantis trying to blend in, although there is some debate on whether the mantis is attempting to be a twig, playing dead, or secretly a superhero getting ready to fly off in the classic superman pose.

 

[cwebster]

Have never seen mantises lay flat. The darn chinese nymphs are always athletically jumping onto my arms and in my hair when i open their cups. Drives me crazy. I search on the floor and most of the time they have leaped onto me.

 

[Mantis Lady]

I have 1 mantis who does that and that is Bob, one of my hierodulas. Yesterday he was laying flat against my hand when I showed him to my hubby and my dog with his big nose showed up. I have seen him doing that more times.