Pregnant Mantis?

[CoolMantid]

I found a wild mantis that is either really fat or pregnant, is ther anyway to tell if she is pregnant. i put here in a cage with fake plants, twigs, flower etc. it has a screen lid.... She is a Carolina mantis

 

[hibiscusmile]

All female mantis are with eggs and will lay even if not mated, but being that fat, she is more than likely mated, welcome and good luck!

 

[CoolMantid]

I hope so, How long until it lays the ootheca

 

[Idolofreak]

Really no way to tell how long it will be, from my experience anyway. My two Carolinas have already banged out two ooths each, and they basically just lay them after they get REALLY fat. A couple minutes before they lay them, they'll hold themselves stable with their raptors and bend their abdomen to the side a bit, usually in a corner or a good hiding spot. Then just be patient and they'll set down some foam and start building it up! Pretty cool thing to watch.

 

[CoolMantid]

Now she is thinner, which leads me to think she is just really fat.... Should I kinda overfeed her like force feeding