My mantis is not eating and lethargic, just how my other mantis died.

[MantisGirl13]

I'm sorry for your loss!

- MantisGirl13

 

[5Via]

So sorry for your loss, it seems males generally aren't much fun to keep once they mature.

 

[hysteresis]

So sorry for your loss, it seems males generally aren't much fun to keep once they mature.

Nope. Not at all. 

In fact, for me its all in the nymph instars.  I do look forward to my R. stalii and B. mendica as adults. And of course, my I. diabolica. 

I have an R. basalis pair that are adult and the male is 50/50. Sometimes he's fun, and sometimes he just wants to run away. He hasnt tried to fly yet. 

My ghost males are chickens and love to fly away. I chased after one last night and he doubled back and flew into my face unexpectedly. He spooked me so bad, even my palate was tingling!

 

[Mitch65009]

Is it normal for the abdomen to look like this? He's still alive, just hanging by a thread..but the last one I had who died had the same thing happen to their abdomen. 

 

[hysteresis]

The dark between the sternites is like a 'bladder' that is flexible and contains his innards. Looks normal. 

Give him honey water (just a little honey completely dissolved in) and leave him alone. Don't try to suspend him inverted. That takes energy. Maybe put down a sheet or two of TP and rest him on that. 

Grab something long and skinny and dip it into distilled water and place a small drop on his snout. Surface tension will help it stick to him, and if he's actually drinking, you'll see his mouth parts flagellating and the drop disappearing quickly. 

 

[Mitch65009]

@hysteresis I'm vegan, so I don't have honey. Lol, is it a important thing that could keep him alive? But I'll definitely try the rest right now. Thanks

 

[hysteresis]

@hysteresis I'm vegan, so I don't have honey. Lol, is it a important thing that could keep him alive? But I'll definitely try the rest right now. Thanks

Its a safe source of energy. Also has antiseptic properties that could benefit a mantis I suppose.

 

[Mitch65009]

Its a safe source of energy. Also has antiseptic properties that could benefit a mantis I suppose.

Oh man, I see. I can't get him to drink water though. 

 

[hysteresis]

Oh man, I see. I can't get him to drink water though. 

That makes for a very poor prognosis. Sorry dude. 

 

[Mitch65009]

That makes for a very poor prognosis. Sorry dude. 

Man..do you think he's suffering.?

 

[hysteresis]

Is he still alive? I don't know that they even suffer.

 

[Mitch65009]

Is he still alive? I don't know that they even suffer.

Yeah, he's still alive. I just don't want him to be in pain, ya know. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

Aww, sad to read your male is doing bad. How is he now?

 

[Mitch65009]

Aww, sad to read your male is doing bad. How is he now?

He's still sitting there, just how I left him 2 days ago . If I touch him, he'll move his leg, but that's about it. Head down,no movement. 

 

[Mitch65009]

Well, I ripped a cricket in half today, and decided to see if he would eat. Well, he did! In a really weird way too, but he looked very satisfied so I was pretty happy to see he might last a little longer!

 

[MantisGirl13]

Great!

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mitch65009]

Great!

- MantisGirl13

Yeah, do you think it could be he is like this cause he was starving? He went very long without food, also, what do you suggest to feed crickets?

 

[hysteresis]

I feed them purchased cricket chow. But they'll eat any veggie. There's controversy around feeding carrots to crix for mantis consumption so I avoid it. 

 

[Jaywo]

poor mantis. Glad he is starting to eat.

 

[Mantis Lady]

I hope he recovered.