Slow, Unresponsive after large meal or pre molt

[Matt-Tucson]

Is it normal for a mantis to not want to do anything after eating a large meal or pre molt? I understand that tarantula's and other creatures hibernate pre-molt but have not seden anyone else say their mantis loses all interest moving about in the two situations I mentioned. My Giant Asian molted on the 6th and is doing that today. She hasn't eaten since yesterday, but it was a medium cricket and she is prob 2 inches or so so it was prob a huge meal. I can understand yesterday not wanting to move but it has been 24 hours. The only other thing I can think of is she's conservuing energy for the next molt. It is pretty warm here so it is possible. thx for responding

Matt

 

[Matt-Tucson]

Also, is the grate on the top of those Petco pet keepers sufficient for a molt? I believe she has used the diagonal stick the last few times but I would need to replace the current one if the ceiling is not adequate. It is vented plastic. Thx

 

[psyconiko]

"...to do anything after eating..."What do you mean?it does not want to play with you anymore?not responding to you?haha :cowboy:

Most mantis species are static animals,they do not move much,waiting for preys to come to their range.It is also normal for some species not to eat or"to do anything" right before or after a molt,,or after a decent meal.What species?what instar?

 

[Matt-Tucson]

Thx, it is a female Giant Asian. Not sure what instar. Was told it was probably L4 when I got it and she has molted 3 times in 6 weeks. Didn't molt the first week I had her and her last was on the 6th of this month so that seems pretty rapid.

 

[Matt-Tucson]

Basically yeah, normally she will walk around and stuff. But she doesn't want to do anything, and even raises her fore-legs saying back off. Last time she did that before her molt. At that time she was looking to climb up everything. I didn't realize what she was doing till she molted the next day.

 

[lancaster1313]

You can glue some grippable material, silk plant pieces, or sticks to the ceiling. Or even close the lid over some screen or paper towel. Those ceilings are not good places to molt from.

 

[Matt-Tucson]

Hmm... Ok. Well do you glue them in some kind of pattern? Like parallel sticks or something? Not imagining it that well. Maybe I should just find a better diagonal stick. She hangs upside down from the ceiliing nearly every day.

 

[Matt-Tucson]

I have some of the No see um micro mesh screen material, would that be good?