My praying mantis lost a leg :(

[Brunina]

Hello guys, 3 days ago my little mantis lost her leg, it was the last back leg, it was an accident, my mom hit her with her knee someway that I don't know how to explain
I tought she would die and I cried so much, but after a lot of research me and mom found out that she would be fine and that her leg would grow again, and that she doesn't felt pain at all, thank God!
She was L4 when it happened, yesterday she became L5, I believe shes an African Praying mantis and I also believe she will grow until L9 or L10

Im avoiding to hand her or anything because I'm trying to help her to regenerate it
I would like to know, does anyone here knows when her leg will generate, if it will ofc?
And if theres anything I can do for her to help her, please help me shes my life ((

 

[Velve]

Depending on how much of the leg was lost, it should take one to three molts until it grows back to full length. The fact that she already pulled off a molt with the leg missing is a good sign, there's nothing you can do for now but wait.

 

[Brunina]

Thank you so much for the reply! Btw this is her now, basically the whole leg was lost
And this last picture was few minutes after the accident, I think its easier to see the lost leg

 

[Teamonger]

I think everyone in this hobby has had their share of 'tripods', I know I have.

It can be very heartbreaking to watch a deformed mantis flail around for a day or so after it happens but they very quickly figure out the issue and carry on as if nothing is amiss. I wouldn't worry as one missing leg is a common occurrence for various reasons and it will grow back. I actually had to purposefully amputate one of my poor mantis's legs after it refused to fix even 4 molts later and almost caused a fatal missmolt (One of his raptorals is twisted by he survived!).

 

[Velve]

It would be beneficial to glue some mesh/flyscreen across the lid. This would give her a better grip, if she decides to have her next molt from there.

 

[Brunina]

Thank you so much I'm so happy ppl here understand the feeling, it broke me inside until i found out she would be okay!
Thank you for the advices I'll do so!!

 

[River Dane]

I’m sorry that this happened. When I first saw a mantis lose her leg, I also freaked out quite a bit. But it’s nothing to worry about. She survived fine without it, and it grew back with her next molt. It was never the same length or color as her other legs, but it worked. 

Based on what I’ve read, no one knows if or how insects are capable of feeling pain. They’re too different from us for us to accurately say what it’s like to be a bug without... being a bug. But, as long as you provide TLC, she will recover. 

Hope she does well,

—D.E.