Loss of back leg function

[PowerHobo]

Is this a fairly common issue during the molt to adulthood? My malaysian dead leaf fell and lost pretty much any meaningful grip her back legs (and extremely limited use of her front), but I thought that was largely because she remained in a bad position at the bottom of the cup while she hardened.

My only remaining ghost molted to adulthood last night, and he's currently hanging by his raptorial and front legs, with his abdomen and back legs just hanging behind him like he can't get a good grip with them. His wings don't look particularly good either, so I'm thinking he may be still unfolding and drying them.

His old exo is still hanging and looks perfect; all legs firmly anchored, no weird bends or anything, so it looks like the molt itself went well, but I didn't witness "the flip" to know if it went okay. If he did fall or something, he climbed himself back up to the top.

He's in a 32oz cup with about a half inch of coco fiber sub, tulle across the entire lid. I could see by his wing buds that he was close so he hasn't been disturbed 24hrs or so before the molt. His cup still has a bit water on the sides from the last spray, and the room is about 74f.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Hmm, sounds like he is just in a weird position, but it could be more. Can we see a pic?

- MantisGirl13

 

[hysteresis]

I've noticed that weak / ailing mantises lose good use of their back legs.

Not applying this observation to your case, just stating it.

 

[PowerHobo]

I actually stand correct. While he was hanging very similarly to my injured dead leaf (head against lid, raptorials and front walking legs hooked to lid, abdomen and rear legs dangling), he's fully on his lid now. His wings are gorgeous, but holy **** has he become sketchy. He's already taken flight once since I removed his lid before I got a picture, so I'm going to leave him be for the time being. I'll post a picture as soon as I can get him relaxed enough to do so.

 

[hysteresis]

My M. caffra males are both adults now. You can see them work their wings as I open the lids.

I'm expecting them to take flight on me any day now.

We don't have cats anymore, so who cares if they stretch their wings a bit? LoL.

 

[PowerHobo]

Ha! Got him this time. Flight might be a strong word... he's more or less just bailing away from me and fluttering to the nearest surface.

 

[hysteresis]

How gorgeous is that!

 

[MantisGirl13]

He is beautiful! Male ghosts are so majestic looking!

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

Can he use his back legs normally now? He looks beautiful on the pic

 

[PowerHobo]

Can he use his back legs normally now? He looks beautiful on the pic

Yes, he's climbing and walking normally now. I'm not sure why he was dangling those legs that way for so long after molting, unless it was solely to reinforce the understanding that I know nothing. lol

 

[hysteresis]

Jon Snow

 

[PowerHobo]

Jon Snow

I’m going to have to legally change my name...

 

[hysteresis]

LoL

 

[Graceface]

Male Ghosts hang with their back legs dangling as the inflate their wings, Ive found. He looks good congrats on the molt!