Wild mantis found in late November

[Zeppy44]

My neighbor was moving a pile of fire wood closer to his house when he found a mantis under one of the logs. Temp was in low 4o's day, below freezing at night. That was the day before Thanksgiving day. I would have thought with all the freezing temps we had had for 2 weeks or so they would have all died out in Arkansas by then.

He gave it to me as we had talked about my new hobby a bit. Once warned up it ate well. Filled out nicely in the following days. Shape of bdomen made me think might be female.

Day after Christmas, finding  a decoration on one of the branches in habitat I now know I have a female. Now to learn about oothes. M

Brings my collection now to 6 ghosts (2male and 4 female) and 3 mystery mantis.

I do have a question though.    Do I need to worry about static electricity with mantis?  I know when I shock my dog she sure reacts negatively. I found nothing on this in my hunt for info here and other places. Guess it is now much of a problem if I could not find anything, but then again maybe I missed something.

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Posting a picture of her would be helpful.

Never heard about the potential danger of static electricity. Maybe wet and dry your hands before handling her to thwart it? (btw, if your home is dry enough that you experience static shocks very frequently, make sure you mist your mantids enough!)

 

[Zeppy44]

Posting a picture of her would be helpful.

Never heard about the potential danger of static electricity. Maybe wet and dry your hands before handling her to thwart it? (btw, if your home is dry enough that you experience static shocks very frequently, make sure you mist your mantids enough!)

Guess I need to learn how to do more than answer my cell phone. Friends often think I am a Ludditte when it comes to some technology.

Aye being very careful with misting relative to humidity. All molts have gone great so far.  Was more worried about later this winter when it will be even dryer, but may just make a system for room. LOL My room needs higher humidity for me to stay healthy.

 

[CosbyArt]

@Zeppy44 Never have shocked a mantis or other exotic pet before with static electricity, but I guess it is possible; although, I imagine if the humidity is that low in the habitat then that is the least of it's concerns. Yeah I haven't heard of the topic/question since 2014 at least on here, and doubt if it was talked about before either.

Glad to hear you saved the female, guess those warmer temps in the south are still holding out some then. My first thought too was female, as males tend to die off at least a month or two before the females - still though a wild female outside is a amazing find/occurrence this time of year (and unheard of after Mid-November, or earlier, around here).

 

[mantiseater]

Last year here in NY my sister found an adult female Tenodera sinensis in mid December. This was after several snows and many freezing days!

 

[Zeppy44]

@Zeppy44 Never have shocked a mantis or other exotic pet before with static electricity, but I guess it is possible; although, I imagine if the humidity is that low in the habitat then that is the least of it's concerns. Yeah I haven't heard of the topic/question since 2014 at least on here, and doubt if it was talked about before either.

Glad to hear you saved the female, guess those warmer temps in the south are still holding out some then. My first thought too was female, as males tend to die off at least a month or two before the females - still though a wild female outside is a amazing find/occurrence this time of year (and unheard of after Mid-November, or earlier, around here).

LOL  not the habitat, they get misted. The room is the problem and am working on that. Is not healthy for me either.  Used to build computers a few years ago. Only fried one chip to static electricity.   Well ty for answer, cross that off the potential problem list.

 

[CosbyArt]

LOL  not the habitat, they get misted. The room is the problem and am working on that. Is not healthy for me either.  Used to build computers a few years ago. Only fried one chip to static electricity.   Well ty for answer, cross that off the potential problem list.

Ah okay, I guess when you have the mantids out then. Indeed low humidity messes with human sinuses, throat, and can lead to sickness much easier.

Well that is a good track record of only one chip getting fried then. When I use to program PICmicro chips years ago during the winter, static became a issue for me too (zapping more than I care to admit until I got the anti-static wristband, anti-static table cover, and took it more seriously).

 

[Zeppy44]

Ah okay, I guess when you have the mantids out then. Indeed low humidity messes with human sinuses, throat, and can lead to sickness much easier.

Well that is a good track record of only one chip getting fried then. When I use to program PICmicro chips years ago during the winter, static became a issue for me too (zapping more than I care to admit until I got the anti-static wristband, anti-static table cover, and took it more seriously).

Sorry was not clear about where mantis were during this. Still looking for easy method to quickly ground in my bedroom. I can tell when it is bad when my poodle avoids brushing and combing cause of the first shock when we touch.

LOL  was massive upgrade with expensive chip. Only took that one to get me properly equipped for static discharge avoidance.   HaHa  wife was angrier than I was.  :angry:

 

[CosbyArt]

Sorry was not clear about where mantis were during this. Still looking for easy method to quickly ground in my bedroom. I can tell when it is bad when my poodle avoids brushing and combing cause of the first shock when we touch.

LOL  was massive upgrade with expensive chip. Only took that one to get me properly equipped for static discharge avoidance.   HaHa  wife was angrier than I was.  :angry:

No problem. The only suggestion I would have is to get a humidifier to avoid low humidity and electric shocks from the start.

It figures it was a expensive chip, CPU I imagine. I believe that, my wife tends to get much angrier than me about anything, especially if it's "my fault".

 

[Zeppy44]

Last year here in NY my sister found an adult female Tenodera sinensis in mid December. This was after several snows and many freezing days!

I wonder if this happens more than we realize? There is so much unknown about so much it boggles the mind!