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When one of mine had a arm issue i got a tooth pick dip the tip in honey put a fruit fly on the honey touched it to his mouth and he would eat like there was no tomorrow.
Yes, I'm learning more and more as I go. For example, I started with a needle.. like.. sewing needle and that was too short, too sharp, and too hard/straight. So, I grabbed one of those twist ties you use to close up a garbage bag, stripped some of the plastic off of it but left 1/2 of the plastic on there. This was SO much better. I could bend the tip just a little bit, it wasn't so sharp it would instantly go into the mantis, and the flat/plastic part is MUCH easier to grip and hold steady compared to needles. I also found that after I dipped the fruit fly in water, I was able to get the "flavor" close to his mouth and wipe that water/blood/guts on his mandibles.Lol! I'm glad you're giving them a chance. Loved the video! And cut that cricket in half!! A whole one that size is just too big for him to handle and hold right now with just his mouth and the backs of his arms. Gently poke it right on his mouth, so he gets a taste of some of the juicy stuff... and he should eventually take it. This will greatly reduce the time and effort it takes to hand feed. Hehe... did I tell you I loved the video?!! :lol:
lol forgot about that picture. I uploaded that to send to one of my friends whom was politically "in denial'. He got a good kick out of it.HAHa nice photo you took
I was wondering (and was going to ask, but you beat me to it!) what that was you were using to feed him with! :lol: Good idea! I'll have to remember that and try it next time I have to hand feed. Many thanks for the tip!!! Holding a short straight pin does get tedious! Gives me cramps in my hands too (carpal tunnel... still, although I've had surgeries on both wrists).Yes, I'm learning more and more as I go. For example, I started with a needle.. like.. sewing needle and that was too short, too sharp, and too hard/straight. So, I grabbed one of those twist ties you use to close up a garbage bag, stripped some of the plastic off of it but left 1/2 of the plastic on there. This was SO much better. I could bend the tip just a little bit, it wasn't so sharp it would instantly go into the mantis, and the flat/plastic party is MUCH easier to grip and hold steady compared to needles. I also found that after I dipped the fruit fly in water, I was able to get the "flavor" close to his mouth and wipe that water/blood/guts on his mandibles. Glad you liked the video. I have a tripod, I should have used it
No, I was first! Na na na na naaaa.... :lol:hey Kat, I just told him that, copycat :lol: and dont try to wezsel out of it, I was first.
Now girls girls girls.... calm down. Plenty of.. advice... to go aroundNo, I was first! Na na na na naaaa.... :lol: You're not my secret long-lost evil twin sister are you? Surely not... you already have one twin!
:lol: !!!Now girls girls girls.... calm down. Plenty of.. advice... to go around
AWESOME tip. It only takes a single drop of honey and you can use that drop like 20 times since you need almost nothing to make the tip stick to a fruit fly. This was very helpful, thank you! Another great tip!When one of mine had a arm issue i got a tooth pick dip the tip in honey put a fruit fly on the honey touched it to his mouth and he would eat like there was no tomorrow.
Ah yes, honey *is* the best edible glue!AWESOME tip. It only takes a single drop of honey and you can use that drop like 20 times since you need almost nothing to make the tip stick to a fruit fly. This was very helpful, thank you! Another great tip!
A plague on you Forum members! A plague in particular, on folks like the two Rebeccas, 'Lectric, Superfreak and a few more of you soft hearted folks! I received a mismolted S.limbata nymph today, with its hindlegs still emeshed in its cast skin. I really don't expect it to survive, and it is obviously a candidate for the brick/freezer treatment. But instead of doing the obvious, I found myself using a head magnifier and dissecting out the hind legs, so far as was possible, with a mounted needle and dissecting scissors. I did a fair but less than perfect job and then found myself feeding it honey on a stick. It lapped it up, and looked pathetically grateful (how do mantids get to do that?) and I suppose that I shall now feed it mutilated things until it finally kicks the bucket!Ah yes, honey *is* the best edible glue!It's also great for sticking pollen to crix!
:lol: :lol: !A plague on you Forum members! A plague in particular, on folks like the two Rebeccas, 'Lectric, Superfreak and a few more of you soft hearted folks! I received a mismolted S.limbata nymph today, with its hindlegs still emeshed in its cast skin. I really don't expect it to survive, and it is obviously a candidate for the brick/freezer treatment. But instead of doing the obvious, I found myself using a head magnifier and dissecting out the hind legs, so far as was possible, with a mounted needle and dissecting scissors. I did a fair but less than perfect job and then found myself feeding it honey on a stick. It lapped it up, and looked pathetically grateful (how do mantids get to do that?) and I suppose that I shall now feed it mutilated things until it finally kicks the bucket! But at least I didn't name it! :lol:
Invocation:
Great Mantis Goddess, take it now,
And heal its wounds and wipe its brow
And set its little spirit free.
You'll do a better job than me!
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