Birdmad Girl
Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2010
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi all.
I'm new here and new to mantid keeping, though not a stranger to keeping other insects and exotics.
I recently acquired a Sphodromantis Viridis, fairly small though large enough to accept small crickets rather than the pinhead crickets. I named her Kiwi.
I've never seen a praying mantis shed before, and I suspect this is what is happening by her appearance, but I can't seem to find any description anywhere online about the changes that happen to a mantis when preparing to shed. I wondered if anyone here could please describe this to me as I have been worried that there is something wrong, though my experience with other creatures suggests this is nothing to worry about.
She stopped eating about 4-5 days ago, when before that she was eating like mad. She's changed colour and shape, from bright vibrant green to a dark, crusty looking green. Her abdomen that was plump has gone almost flat, which seemed to happen overnight. I am guessing that soon she'll pop out of her skin, but not sure how long this process takes or when to know whether there is something wrong. She's being kept nice and humid at the moment.
If anyone could please describe to me what usually happens and how long it takes, I'd be very grateful. It's always a worry when experiencing something for the first time, and it would really help to know that everything is how it should be.
Many thanks!
I'm new here and new to mantid keeping, though not a stranger to keeping other insects and exotics.
I recently acquired a Sphodromantis Viridis, fairly small though large enough to accept small crickets rather than the pinhead crickets. I named her Kiwi.
I've never seen a praying mantis shed before, and I suspect this is what is happening by her appearance, but I can't seem to find any description anywhere online about the changes that happen to a mantis when preparing to shed. I wondered if anyone here could please describe this to me as I have been worried that there is something wrong, though my experience with other creatures suggests this is nothing to worry about.
She stopped eating about 4-5 days ago, when before that she was eating like mad. She's changed colour and shape, from bright vibrant green to a dark, crusty looking green. Her abdomen that was plump has gone almost flat, which seemed to happen overnight. I am guessing that soon she'll pop out of her skin, but not sure how long this process takes or when to know whether there is something wrong. She's being kept nice and humid at the moment.
If anyone could please describe to me what usually happens and how long it takes, I'd be very grateful. It's always a worry when experiencing something for the first time, and it would really help to know that everything is how it should be.
Many thanks!
Last edited by a moderator: