Mantis Behavior Question

[Coneja]

Hello all; I've noticed a few of the times that I get my L4 nymph, Siri, out for some exercise that he'll almost lay down on my hand for quite awhile. He extends his folded raptorials out and lays flat on me -once with his abdomen curled up and twice with it straight. I'm just wondering... do they do this frequently? Is he scared? Comfortable? The first time it happened I got him out while doing homework and it seemed like he was enjoying the dual heat from the lamp and my hand. The last time he did it, he started very gently nibbling on my skin: never biting, just tickling. So I don't think he's scared, just... really calm? He used climb all over my fingers when I first got him, always reaching for the next finger or bamboo skewer... He's my first mantis so I was wondering if any of your guys' nymphs do this when they get more used to you or whether I should be concerned by this fairly sudden change in behavior. He's still eating fine: had his first mealworm the other night and ate almost to the point of bursting!

 

[hibiscusmile]

He is enjoying the warmth, and probably trying to lick the salt off your hand, put a drop of water in front of him, he will get it that way.

 

[D_Hemptress]

it sounds like he is being affectionate

 

[Malakyoma]

I agree with Rebecca. He's trying to warm up a little, and the nibbling is to get any moisture or salt from your hands. Maybe next time you could try misting your hand in front of him and see if he drinks

 

[Digger]

Ditto Mal.

 

[Coneja]

Thanks guys... I figured it was because he was getting more comfortable with me; that's what I was hoping for, anyway. The handling is starting to pay off, as he's quite calm when he's out and about now. A few days ago he even sat on my hand while I was typing, and now he'll hunt mealworms on my hand too. I still have to coax him out of the cage, though, as he's quite content to just hang out there. But it's nice not to have to worry about him running up my arm or jumping off my hand.

I will try watering him like everyone's suggested; he will drink off a bamboo skewer that I dip in his water so he'd probably take to drinking out of my palm pretty well!