That didn't go well....

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Benayla

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Well, my first attempt at breeding my Mantises began with stringing the den with Plush's, so that if Dracula flew frantically (Which he did) He'd land on one and it'd be easier to pick him up. As opposed to just putting him in her cage I got them both openly in the room, so it'd be easier to intervene if I needed to. 

Dracula got right behind Fluffy, who at least acted like she didn't even know he was there, then out of nowhere flew backward, which startled me into running in a circle and screaming so loud that my family in the pool outside could hear me. Of all things Dracula ended up clinging to Venusaur, which made it difficult to get him, but not impossible. It basically went on with him getting close to her and flying away, over and over again. And some of the crickets got loose because Fluffy wouldn't eat them. 

Then I decided to just put them in her cage, where they were for a few days. Dracula often got close to Fluffy, then, for some reason, ran away, but didn't stop running until he was near her again. Then he finally got on and off her back like four times. Then....At 2:45 in the morning, this experience ends with me waking up to find Fluffy on the ground, dying from what looked like a sore on the side of her tail, which wasn't there earlier. I wasn't happy....At all. She's dead now....Maybe it was because I played too many Glee Covers, because I figured music would help. 

Well, my plan was that since I had two pairs I could breed them both and then breed those from the next generation (Assuming Dracula and Sonamy aren't related, which I'd have to ask SaveChanges about) But now....Looks like I'm making another trip to Panterra Pets....Not now, but you know what I mean. And this time around I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing.

My other female, who compared to Fluffy appears to be aggressive, should be ready this Saturday. This time I'm just going to put Sonamy in her cage from the beginning, because I don't want to go through that same stress again, seriously, trying to catch a frantic male Mantis that can just fly around when you try to pick him up....Although Sonamy's been acting weird lately, crawling all over his cage. Also, his wings look almost transparent, is that something I should be concerned about?? And Dracula, back in his cage, has been in the same spot for a few days. I guess now I have Dracula as a spare if Novamaru ends up killing Sonamy. But still....I'd much rather still have poor Fluffy :(  .

 
I'm sorry that went so wrong for you. I hope the second attempt works out better, I'll be routing for ya.

I'm also trying my first time at breeding and am learning its like herding flying cats trying to get them situated for the event. My males seem far more interested in what I'm doing then in the female a few inches from them.

 
Next time, if the male flies away multiple times, just separate them and try the next day. I tried several times before i was successful. When I was trying I had two sticks with me to protect the male, while he was trying to get close, I'd put the sticks on either side of the female just in case she struck. I let the female walk onto my arm and the male saw her and jumped on her, I had my stick ready, haha. During one attempt, the male freaked and flew, and the female struck, but luckily my stick and hand got in the way and the male survived. Also, try during the evening, I found that my females usually call a bit later in the day. I never left them alone either. I hope you are successful next time and I'm sorry you lost your Fluffy :(

 
Benayla,

Oh I am so sorry to read about your female!  My daughter, who is also on the forum, is so excited to get mantises this next week but I am not for this exact kind of reason.  I am all about communal living and not worrying about heads getting eaten!  Thank you for sharing your story.  

 
Please! Never leave crickets alone in your mantis cages longer than 20 minutes! You can find a partly eaten mantis and happy well fed cricket awhile later.

 

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