New member with "rescued" mantis

[cogit8r]

Hi Folks;

Dave in Memphis here. I spotted a mantis on our front porch the other day and noticed it had only one front leg. I transferred it up to our porch light (which attracts gazillions of insects) in hopes it might find a meal. I really can't tell if it's fed. With only one front leg, feeding will probably be difficult, but is it impossible? If I offer it grubs or meal worms, do you think it will be able to feed, or is it doomed?

If it can eat the grubs, etc. I will probably get some sort of housing for it so it can live out its days.

Thanks in advance for your responses.Dave

 

[aNisip]

Yes it can do very well with only one raptorial arm...he/she will be fine....no worries!

All the best,

Andrew

 

[lancaster1313]

Welcome.

Your mantis is not doomed. It can feed on moths, flies, crickets, grasshoppers, and even the occasional mealworm.

Is it an adult, (has wings)?

There is a lot of good information about feeding and housing mantids on this forum.

 

[cogit8r]

Thanks for the quick responses. It has wings, so I assume its an adult.

I'll dig through the forums for info on care and feeding. In the meantime the porch light stanchion seems to be a great hunting site. Will it get enough moisture from its prey, or should I supply water? (Kinda like a leetle tiny bird feeder)

 

[aNisip]

Spray it with water...pure stuff, none of that added chlorine garbage every other day..

 

[Rick]

If it is a wild mantis there really is no need to feed or water it. But if you want to make it a captive the info you can find here will help you. It may be able to live longer than normal as a captive since they die when winter arrives.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I like to feed them with my long forceps as they redily take it with one hand, welcome

 

[Chivalry]

Welcome fellow Tennessean

I've had lots of them with missing arms, they eat smaller prey but they do fine.