piece of ooth stuck on rear end

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My adults are getting pretty old. My 9 month old laid a small ooth a couple days ago and part of it is hanging and stuck in her still. I tried luke warm water and I can't get it off.

I haven't seen any droppings in her cage. Can she still have a bowel movement, or whatever you call it for a mantid? Do they defecate and lay ooths from the same hole?

Even if not, it looks like her whole rear end is clogged. Does anyone know an easy way to remove it without hurting her?

 

[Rick]

This is pretty normal. It is one way you can tell if a mantis recently laid an ooth in the field. You should be able to just pull it off unless it is an unusual amount and then you would want to be careful.

 

[Sticky]

Pictures would help us to answer your question.

 

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Not at home now to take pics. I got it off my one mantid, but it is really stuck in my other old girl. I think she is completely egg bound now.

Thank you!