Preparing to molt?

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So, I know decreased appetite can be a sign of preparing to molt, so is it safe to say that after eating about a half of a house fly and then later shying away from a second that my nymph (currently unknown species) is preparing to molt?

 
WIth time and experience you will be able to tell just by looking at a mantis.

 
Well, the next time I misted he did get a drink..but when offered a fly shortly thereafter he just batted it and walked the opposite direction..he's hanging out on the top of the enclosure too..and I'm sure you're right, Rick, I've just never seen a mantis molt before, but from what I've read/heard/etc. it's pretty similar to a snake, where they can appear a little pale from the old skin disconnecting, is that correct?

 
They will usually stretch out and wiggle a bit and then straighten the legs more than normal and more or less stay that way till the molt happens, and yes they can look pale/chalky before hand as well.

 
My mantis seem to show a major sign, while at the top there legs appear straight like they are just hanging there. And mine never seem to have there raptors folded in, kind of stretched out.

 
Not sure about other species but Euros will go 24 hours without eating...they won't even look at a feeder. At that point I remove all feeders put give them a very light mist and leave them alone. The all seem to hang in the same position, kinda of unique position as their bodies start undulating with their coxae held together close to their head, once they tuck their head in and their antennae in tandem point straight for their body....it's molt time.

 
Idahomantid, that's exactly what I was about to post about my experience. Euros are easy (and fun) to tell if they're about to molt.

To the OP, your mantis is most likely full. However that doesn't mean that it isn't due for a molt. That fly may be the last meal it eats before it molts, which will be in a couple of days if that's the case. The fact that it ate and immediately refused food, is simply an indication of being satisfied.

 

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