Lost Leg

[Gizmo]

I found to my horror last night my European mantis had lost a leg this weekend while she was doing her nightly stuff on the bed. I went and looked in her living area and there it was.

It happened this weekend when we were gone for a day. My girlfriend thinks maybe it happened when she put her back, I think maybe it happened when I did (she doesn't like to go back in and last time I gently shook my hand until she let go but she landed an inch down on her back) and there is the possibility that one of the baby crickets I left for her did that, but she hangs out on the top most of the time and I can't imagine her letting one do that.

She seems okay otherwise. I read about applying honey to the stump but is that still necessary? Also I am guessing she is a full grown adult and there won't be another molt so she'll have to remain that way, but I'd love to be wrong on that.

She still acts normal. Outgoing and friendly, calm most of the time, she certainly doesn't shy away from us.

Should I do anything else?

 

[Ghost_Keeper]

If the mantis has wings, it's an adult. One leg missing probably wont hurt her though.

 

[Gizmo]

Thank you that helps to know that.

I have read through a lot of this site to know that we are still lucky as there are a lot worse things that can befall a mantis, but I still feel terrible. Granted we are newbs at this and probably look like a couple of weirdos for giving our mantis so much love and attention, but it makes me feel like maybe I shouldn't try and raise them after she passes (if her ooth hatches) if I allowed something like that to happen.

 

[CosbyArt]

...It happened this weekend when we were gone for a day. My girlfriend thinks maybe it happened when she put her back, I think maybe it happened when I did (she doesn't like to go back in and last time I gently shook my hand until she let go but she landed an inch down on her back

...

If it is the one from your photos of the spoiled mantis, indeed she is an adult and is out of molts (especially as you mentioned in your post above she laid a ooth). Honey is used to prevent infection/bacterial growth so it is up to you if you think it warrants it. Doubtful it was a cricket, sure problems can happen but I haven't had it happen with the thousands of crickets I've went through so far.

The best way to place them back in their habitat is to hold the habitat lid by your hand (bottom up works best) and let them crawl onto it, no throwing/falling as it could have broke the leg. Then just turn over the lid slowly on their habitat and they will stay on the lid mesh or take off in the habitat. Also when placing the lid back on be sure they are clear of the edges of the lid, otherwise you can trap them by their feet too.

 

[Ghost_Keeper]

If it is the one from your photos of the spoiled mantis, indeed she is an adult and is out of molts (especially as you mentioned in your post above she laid a ooth). Honey is used to prevent infection/bacterial growth so it is up to you if you think it warrants it. Doubtful it was a cricket, sure problems can happen but I haven't had it happen with the thousands of crickets I've went through so far.

The best way to place them back in their habitat is to hold the habitat lid by your hand (bottom up works best) and let them crawl onto it, no throwing/falling as it could have broke the leg. Then just turn over the lid slowly on their habitat and they will stay on the lid mesh or take off in the habitat. Also when placing the lid back on be sure they are clear of the edges of the lid, otherwise you can trap them by their feet too.

Crickets CAN be little monsters. They killed my fully grown male chinese water dragon, and my flying gecko while they were eating (climbed onto an area where they couldn't reach and chewed) I was at a film when it happened.

 

[Gizmo]

It is the spoiled Mantis and I think one of the times I gently shook her off my hand when trying to get her back in is what did it.

It's funny you say that about the lid because I came up with that idea last night!

In regards to crickets: I purposely left her with baby crickets just in case they would get bity with her. That's why I think it was me putting her back.

 

[CosbyArt]

Crickets CAN be little monsters. They killed my fully grown male chinese water dragon, and my flying gecko while they were eating (climbed onto an area where they couldn't reach and chewed) I was at a film when it happened.

Indeed it can as I stated in the original post, "Doubtful it was a cricket, sure problems can happen but I haven't had it happen with the thousands of crickets I've went through so far". As far as lizards no idea, as I don't keep them, sorry to hear you had problems though.

It is the spoiled Mantis and I think one of the times I gently shook her off my hand when trying to get her back in is what did it.

It's funny you say that about the lid because I came up with that idea last night!

In regards to crickets: I purposely left her with baby crickets just in case they would get bity with her. That's why I think it was me putting her back.

Glad to see you are doing the lid method then, it seems to be one of the best ways.

Indeed I'm the same way, and even then I typically use my 2nd set of thongs to pinch the crickets rear-legs to disable them, while holding them with my first pair (and larger crickets I'll also disable their mouths (same method)). I figure no cricket will have a upper-hand, as I don't want to loose any mantid to a cricket.

 

[Gizmo]

I need to get those tongs. I use chopsticks!! How stupid is that?! I inadvertently cripple them in the process. But, since I like to hand feed her a lot of the time the chopsticks work out as there is less of a chance of a misgrab. Good grief the few times she has latched on to one of the sticks accidentally I felt it. Their raptor arms sure are powerful.