quick need help fast

[gripen]

just got home and fond one of my female texas unicorns one the ground on it's side. i thought it was dead but it then moved when i tried to pic it up. i think it was trying to molt but fell. the molting process had not started yet. i have it now hanging on a paper towel but it is have spasms. will she be ok?

 

[gripen]

please respond.

 

[patrickfraser]

Make sure she is hanging securely and freely and try not to move much. Spasms are natural during molting.

 

[lancaster1313]

I hope she will be OK.

Has there been any change in her condition? Has she molted, or started molting yet?

From your description, I can't even be sure that her problem is molt related.

 

[gripen]

no change in condition fell again, i don't know if she will make it. could a parasite cause this behavior?

 

[lancaster1313]

I am sorry to hear that, it doesn't sound good.

 

[gripen]

her wing buds are huge so there is still hope she will molt.

 

[lancaster1313]

no change in condition fell again, i don't know if she will make it. could a parasite cause this behavior?

Most likely not a parasite, unless she was wild caught.

 

[gripen]

i live in mass we don't have anything near as exiting as a unicorn mantis, so not wild caught.

 

[lancaster1313]

What type of container does she live in? Is there plenty of ventilation?

 

[gripen]

she lives in the infamous critter carrier but there is more than enough vegetation to molt of. right now she is on some paper towels on the wall of the cage under constant surveillance.

 

[lancaster1313]

Where do you get the vegetation? Is it possible that I may be tainted with pesticides?

If she is ready to molt she will need to hang upside down.

 

[gripen]

fake plants so no pesticides plus i have used them before without consequences. she is unable to hold on to the top.

 

[lancaster1313]

If she can grip it, try draping the paper towel over the open door, and try securing it by closing the door over it. Try to get her hanging and place the whole top on to the container.

OOps, I meant to add that it may be easier if you have the whole top off before fastening the towel.

 

[gripen]

she refuses to hang on with 2 of her legs.

 

[gripen]

i think i had this happen once before with a shield, she didn't make it.(not to be a pessimist)

 

[lancaster1313]

Does she have weakness, or partial paralysis?

 

[gripen]

weakness definitely. if the condition does not improve by morning i think the humane thing to do would be the freezer.

 

[lancaster1313]

It really doesn't sound good. I am sorry. I have never had a mantid improve after having weakness.

I just lost an adult female Heirodula multispina this evening. She was only about a month into adulthood and was fine last night. Sometimes it happens, and a cause isn't obvious.