I have an L2 popa spurca who had been stalking its prey. It caught the bug and held it for a minute, biting into it. But the bug squirmed away and the mantis picked up a large chunk of dirt and started eating it. Do they normally eat dirt or was he just confused?
Mantid eating dirt?
- Thread starter Litleape
- Start date
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He was probably just confused. This is pretty common, I'll have mantises that miss the bug but latch onto fake leaves, moss, or the cheesecloth I'd use for a cover and start munching on that for a while. Sometimes it can take a while before they realize they are not eating what they had intended to eat. I wouldn't be concerned, mantises can be very stupid sometimes.
kmsgameboy
Well-known member
Just tonight I had one of my mantids go after a moth but grabbed a wood chip and she nibbled on it for about 3 seconds before she realized the moth was still flying around her enclosure. I guess she got her fiber in for the day.
ismart
Well-known member
Just confused? :lol: I have had the same thing happen, only with paper towel. It must have taste like coookie, because she refused to stop! :lol:
patrickfraser
Well-known member
It's just ridiculous. They just "NOM NOM NOM" on anything if it's "caught".
Just last night I had a mantis catch a piece of it's molting instead of the fly it missed. NOM NOM NOM. Makes you love 'em just a little more.
haha, patrick, u r right! they are endearing ! :lol:
kmsgameboy
Well-known member
Mantis + Nom Nom Nom = Epic!
