Signs of molting and humidity

[DrakeLineous]

So I think it's safe to say that I've read most of the care sheets on mantises online, even ones in different languages. A lot of them say the easiest way to tell is that the mantis will ignore or even chase away prey and that it will start hanging upside down. Are there any other ways to tell? I believe mine is an L3 and I've had her for maybe two weeks now so I think she's due for a molt. Also, when she starts ready to do it should I spray the enclosure to bump the humidity? And my place is normally around 60%, is that high enough that I don't need to mist the enclosure daily for the sole purpose of increasing it, rather just so she can have a drink? Thanks

 

[MantidBro]

So I think it's safe to say that I've read most of the care sheets on mantises online, even ones in different languages. A lot of them say the easiest way to tell is that the mantis will ignore or even chase away prey and that it will start hanging upside down. Are there any other ways to tell? I believe mine is an L3 and I've had her for maybe two weeks now so I think she's due for a molt. Also, when she starts ready to do it should I spray the enclosure to bump the humidity? And my place is normally around 60%, is that high enough that I don't need to mist the enclosure daily for the sole purpose of increasing it, rather just so she can have a drink? Thanks

They actually pulse when about to molt too. Slowly and steadily. They will let their claws hang when about to molt and hold on only with their feet. I'd say she's due for a molt too if it's been about 2 weeks. Yes you can spray the humidity but not too much and don't do it directly - just in case. Sometimes it's fine, but I wouldn't want to risk knocking her down with the force of the spray. Or to make the surface she's gripping too slippery. It's hard to tell what's enough humidity, what's too much, and what's not enough. Just keep an eye on your mantid. Sometimes, unfortunately, you have to go through the whole trial and error deal. Sometimes that's how we learn what's right and what's wrong. Good luck!

Here's a video that shows what a mantid does when about to molt:

 

[Crazy4mantis]

I usually can tell if they don't move at all for a few days. If she is a native species she won't need massive amounts of humidity, light misting a few times a day will work. tropical species won't need much more.

 

[Mr.Smith]

This Helped me out a lot too... I was about to post this same thing. My mantis hasn't moved for a day now.. today will be the second day... Mine is an L2. How long does a molt take?

 

[MantidBro]

This Helped me out a lot too... I was about to post this same thing. My mantis hasn't moved for a day now.. today will be the second day... Mine is an L2. How long does a molt take?

What do you mean. How long does it take once molting has begun? or how long it takes after the previous molt? it takes about 2 weeks from L2 to L3. Te actual process takes about 10 minutes for L2.