Strange behavior, and now a black spot

[LauraMG]

My adult Chinese has had some strange behavior lately. She seems very restless and has been climbing on the glass and falling off onto her back. She's been doing this for a few days and it's worried me, but I just moved some things around so that she can grab a stick or something to get off her back (she's deformed from a mismolt and doesn't move too well). She got a little stuck again today, and when I pulled her out I saw this black spot on her eye. I've read a few topics about this supposed rubbed eye syndrome, but there's very little info on it and suspicion on whether it's a real issue. Combined with her strange behavior, it concerns me. I know there would be little or nothing I could do to treat, but I'm wondering if it seems like something I should put her in the freezer for a peaceful death or not. Any help is appreciated. She just doesn't seem right.

 

[massaman]

if she eats normally I would not be worried that much

 

[massaman]

I got shield with a spot in its eye too and she is as normal as any other shield and she even has a mean streak if disturbed!

 

[ismart]

No worries! That is not rubbed eye syndrom. More like mantis cataracts. :lol: I find this happens more often with old age.

 

[LauraMG]

No worries! That is not rubbed eye syndrom. More like mantis cataracts. :lol: I find this happens more often with old age.

That is so strange! She's 4 months (almost to the day) and it wasn't there last night because I fed her a freshly shed roach and recorded and photographed her and it wan't there at all.

 

[eur0pein]

it should be fine

 

[Rick]

The spots are common. Some believe they are caused by rubbing on the enclosure, but I have seen them more than once on wild mantids too.

 

[eur0pein]

that happend to one of my ghosts

 

[LauraMG]

Well, at least I know what her strange and restless behavior has been now! Got home from errands and my boyfriend is worried because Zorak hasn't moved from this one spot in a few hours. I got a bit closer and noticed she was actually laying an ooth!

I'm a rookie at this part, so I guess...perhaps...I may have overreacted a bit. I'm very grateful for the advice on her eye everyone!

 

[manzano167]

Did you mate her?

 

[Ghostie]

One of my Limbatas had this in his eye when I brought him home from the wild and now it has gone away.

Grats on the ooth! Although maybe not fertilized.. I think you said you only had one Chinese.

That's cool anyways, now you learned something and have a souvenir.

 

[Peter Clausen]

I've had adult female ghost mantises live about six months. Occasionally, one of the eyes will develop a small hole that will actually grow as it dries and disintegrates further over the course of months, and with no apparent detriment to the lifespan of the mantis.

 

[LauraMG]

Did you mate her?

No, I haven't mated her. I only have the one Chinese. If someone wants to send me a male, I will!

I just got home from camping and the poor girl looks deflated

 

[Rick]

No, I haven't mated her. I only have the one Chinese. If someone wants to send me a male, I will!

I just got home from camping and the poor girl looks deflated

They do get restless right before.

 

[LauraMG]

They do get restless right before.

I noticed!

Restless is almost too light of a word for her behavior. Climbing and falling on her back and flailing. I thought she was in her death throws! She got through it and I'm glad I know what that looks like now!