Molting

[OGIGA]

Now how long should i wait before i feed it again?

I've fed mantises approximately 12-16 hours after they molted. Of course, they get a lot more interested in food the next day and following.

 

[xenuwantsyou]

I generally wait about 36 hours. Most will say 48, and that's fine, but I've never had any problems.

 

[bubforever]

is it natural for them to be very skinny after molting? It's been over 16 hours now and his abdomen is extremely skinny.

 

[OGIGA]

Sometimes, yes. It depends on how much they ate before molting. It's usually not a problem.

 

[bubforever]

not to keep nagging at the issue but today would be the fifth day since its molted and it still hasn't eaten. It ate two days prior to molting so exactly seven days since its eaten last.

 

[OGIGA]

Fifth day... that gets me concerned. I don't know what to do though.

 

[Peekaboo]

Give it more time. I wouldn't worry until after two weeks. Right now you're worked up over nothing.

 

[bubforever]

really two weeks? :shock: They can go that long without food?

 

[Peekaboo]

They can go longer ... during the Winter months I had a budwing that didn't eat for over a month. Now that worried me.

 

[bubforever]

Thanks, i an sleep a bit better at night now. :wink:

 

[bubforever]

Finally over, i guess he got the incentive to eat, so while i was at practice he stalked out a cricket by himself.

 

[OGIGA]