Digger
Well-known member
(TWITCH AS A TEENAGER)
I let one of my two adult T. sinensis go romping late this afternoon. I periodically let each free in the living room. An hour later I found Twitch in the corner on the floor on his side. Not a good sign, At all. He's showing symptoms of end-of-life, e.g: biting repeatedly (at nothing) and drinking enough water to drown (he's fully fed and watered last night). Another indication of bad trouble is antennae that flop and tarsi which curl. I have him in the intensive care ward and under observation. Since the house is 100% non-toxic to mantids (no exposed cleaners, air fresheners, hot light bulbs, etc.) it may be old age. Funny thiong is, he just molted to adult in mid May. Male T. sinensis don't live all that long, but I thought the life span (for males) was longer than this. His abdomen is going through regular convulsions - just like a contracting bellows - as if he's breathing hard (which he may be).
Light a candle for him. Let's see if he pulls through the night. But it doesn't look good.
Should I call a priest?
. Today, Twitch is acting like a normal mantis - antennae high and alert. However, he did grab my fore finger tightly with his raptors at one point. His abdomen went into a "seeking" posture as if he had mounted a female. The rear of his abdomen seemed expanded or open. Although I have never examined one previously, it appeared his spermatophore was a bit exposed - about 2mm in diameter and an opaque white sphere. Is that possible??
