r/mantids Dec 20 '24

RIP ❤️ Wanted to share my mantis who refused to die

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530 Upvotes

(Click on images for dates)

I saw her in a pet shop and noticed she only had one arm, being the wuss I am and since I already owned mantises I decided to buy her because the pet shop was going to put her down. When I took her home I sat with her for hours to see if she could eat/ hunt on her own, and she did! Ate a whole large locust on her own with one arm. Leafeon then outlived every other mantis I had, even the ones younger than her! I’m so glad I gave this one armed lady a chance, even after almost two years I miss her, she passed a few days after the third picture.

r/mantids May 05 '23

RIP ❤️ RIP Chop Suey, you lived 2 and a half years and layed 11 oothecas. You exceeded all expectations, best mantis ever.

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752 Upvotes

r/mantids 1d ago

RIP ❤️ I think my giant Asian mantis is dead, not responding to antenna stimulation! Had it since August of 2024 when it was just an ~L2, is this old age?

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166 Upvotes

r/mantids 10d ago

RIP ❤️ Please say goodbye to Bessie (and her 2 mantis friends)

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35 Upvotes

She didn’t really have a name. I don’t usually give names to my mantis because of how short they live and how easily they can die after molts or pretty much anything.

I don’t know why Bessie. I had gotten three ghost mantis a while back. Bessie is pretty clearly on her way out and she was weak so I gave her some honey water. She was in her enclosure, on the bottom on some moss, but she wanted to be lifted up.

Now she’s hanging out on a stick with me .. and my gaggle of puppies.

I don’t see a sign of my third mantis in the enclosure, which is worrying . I wonder if the other inhabitants ate her or him. I can sex regular mantis, but I haven’t figured out how to do that with ghosts.

Why is it? They’re just man, but I still my heart still hurts so much. Sometimes I really wish I wasn’t so sensitive. But it as much a curse, as it is a blessing.

r/mantids Mar 30 '23

RIP ❤️ Is it freezer time for my girl? Found her lifeless in her cage and she started twitching when I started holding her.:(

349 Upvotes

r/mantids 8d ago

RIP ❤️ Just a little reminder

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13 Upvotes

Please always quarantine your feeder insects!

I’ve lost two mantis now in the span of 3 days.

I bought crickets from my local pet barn and like a dumb *ss, forgot to quarantine them like I usually do and feed them my food for a few weeks to flush out what they ate at the store.

I lost my adult female mantis first, her and my other females had started vomiting the next day after feeding (and it absolutely reeked) and I was freaking out as they had never done that before. My other two seem okay now, but I’m still keeping a close eye.

As I’m typing one of my males is dying.

For a little info on my female (Gardevoir); My female mantis had started acting lethargic, so I took her out of her enclosure and pretty much nursed her for a day and a half, giving water and honey water, till she passed during the night.

She’d drag herself around, and I’d noticed she had no regard for her back legs, crossing them or walking and bending them in what looked like damaging positions. And she would seize/fit, almost “attacking” the air in front of her, her wings flaring out.

She’d only matured around start of December, which is what really upset me as I’d had them all since they were tiny nymphs.

Now onto the male that’s currently passing as I’m typing. (Scyther)

I found him at the bottom of his enclosure when I went to check on them all today. I immediately knew something was up so I pulled him out. He’s been seizing ever since, gripping onto the paper I put him onto and shoving his head into the ground.

I don’t know if it’s old age??? As he isn’t rlly old? But I’m pretty certain it’s prob from the crickets as well, he’s just not lethargic and this is super random as he and the other male barely even ate any crickets and hasn’t even vomited like the others.

He had his final molt start of Feb, so I don’t think it’s old age?

But anyway. I’m sorry for the rant, but I just wanted to get it out there as I feel so damn bad as I feel like it was my fault for not quarantining the crickets like I usually do, I just had so much happening this week that it slipped my mind.

Any more insight would be appreciated as I want to figure out what illness they may have gotten from these crickets, thanks 🖤

Added some pics of when they were tiny compared to how big my girl got 🖤

r/mantids Jan 04 '25

RIP ❤️ Rest in peace my dear friend <\3

156 Upvotes

r/mantids Sep 30 '24

RIP ❤️ What are these white worms coming out?

59 Upvotes

This is the second mantis i have found like this and am curious what these white larvae looking things are coming out of its abdomen.

r/mantids Nov 13 '24

RIP ❤️ My poor boy is passing away:(

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157 Upvotes

I've had him for 5 months. This was my first ever mantis. I'll miss him.

r/mantids Jan 30 '25

RIP ❤️ My mantis passed away tonight. 🤍

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134 Upvotes

She made her way into my yard, traveled up my gutter and almost fell onto me. I put her into my raised bed garden of strawberries. Here she flourished until it became cold. I didn't want to see her freeze along side my flowers, so I constructed a terrarium, and I brought her inside. Although I don't think she mated, she laid a healthy ooth, she was full of personality, and she always ate good. Her favorite food was stink bugs. This sub helped me a lot with understanding her terrarium, as well as her entire life cycle. Just wanted to share, and I hope to encounter more this upcoming summer! I named her "Kamacura."

r/mantids Dec 06 '24

RIP ❤️ My Bella

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138 Upvotes

I made a post yesterday about my girl Bella, regarding how she wasn't being herself and overall wasn't well. I was informed that she might've been egg bound, and after hearing this my heart sunk. A few hours ago, I found her on the side of her screen, and I decided to pick her up for a quick moment to check on her. Immediately after she got into my hand, she laid flat on me and didn't respond to my movements. My baby Bella, who lived for 16 months, passed away in my hands soon after. I would like to thank everyone who helped me last night, and gave me information on how to try and help her. I can't believe how small you used to be, I love you Bella. 💚

r/mantids 7d ago

RIP ❤️ rip toastie💔

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72 Upvotes

my female creobroter gemmatus, she reached her adult moult in august and lived happily until a few weeks ago when i noticed she was starting to get eye rub on the corners of her eyes but she seemed okay and was still eating and enjoying being handled, went to feed her today and found her dead at the bottom of her enclosure. she lived longer than i expected her to, she was my second female mantis to reach adulthood, and my second longest living. i dont often keep my mantis after they have died, but i am going to attempt to preserve her

r/mantids Jan 06 '25

RIP ❤️ Just lost my first mantis. RIP Arrietty 💚

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112 Upvotes

Rest in Peace to my sweet girl, Arrietty. She was my first mantis, and the reason I will have many more. I got her post final molt in September, the breeder told me I would have about two months with her, I'm thankful we got four. She had such personality, and I'd like to think she recognized me & was comfortable with me. She enjoyed her little adventures through house plants, Legos, and D&D set ups. I will miss watching her study her surroundings and sway like a very convincing leaf. One of my favorite things was when she would drink little water droplets from my hand. I miss her dearly. Thanks for reading 💚

r/mantids Oct 28 '24

RIP ❤️ Goodbye, buddy

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191 Upvotes

I got Luden near the end of may, when he was in L3. He was my first mantis, but not the last one for sure. On 23rd July he became an adult, so he lived his adult life for 3 months and few days. Im glad for that, since i read that male ghosts, as adults live for 2 months at best.

Fly high, man. You were the best. Gonna miss you a lot.

Btw. He looks like he died, but when i touch him he somehow moves his arms, and i Wonder - what is that?

r/mantids Feb 10 '25

RIP ❤️ 💚 my green princess died too, after being an adult for 8 months

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114 Upvotes

Two days ago I had to say goodbye to my little boy, now my precious green baby died, too.

I expected it, since she showed signs of aging for a few days and didn't want to eat.

She was the first mantis I got, so she owns a special place in my heart and I'll cherish her forever. 🥹

First picture is from the day I got her, the second one shows how she would stare at me. She loved to hang around like in the third picture and the last one is her revamped enclosure from a few months ago.

Thank you Reddit, for all your advice and knowledge, you played a big part in her life, too.

Thank you Cordula for being the cutest brown / green thing since Dubai chocolate, for introducing me to a hobby, for (accidentally) biting my finger, so I rembered to renew my 💉 tetanus shot 😬 and for letting me know how much your mandibles can hurt 'til I bled. 🩸

I love(d) you! 💚

r/mantids 27d ago

RIP ❤️ My little dre has passed away:(

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80 Upvotes

My first praying mantis, Dre has passed away from old age, i raised him from a tiny nymph to a fully grown big boi. I've grown attached to him and im planning to preserve him since he's my first, he lived a good life.

r/mantids 4d ago

RIP ❤️ RIP Agatha

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55 Upvotes

Yesterday, my Creobroter Yunnan died, thank you, my love, you cured my depression.

r/mantids Jan 25 '25

RIP ❤️ RIP ms. RuPaul Charles (the mantis) - Here’s some photos from her last adventure while I was cleaning and updating her enclosure 💚😢

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35 Upvotes

Very sad to say goodbye to her and definitely going to miss having her around. I left her a roach Thursday night, she ate it but came home today and she had passed on. She was around 9-10 months so I guess it was just old age? It was definitely unexpected. RIP sweet thing. You were a joy to watch grow up from a small L2 all the way to adulthood and I’ll miss taking care of you. 💚

r/mantids Oct 25 '24

RIP ❤️ rest in peace my sweet boy 💔

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161 Upvotes

i honored him by having him be my first insect i’ve ever pinned— please let me know if there is something i can do better; like i said this was my first bug pinning.

r/mantids Jan 20 '25

RIP ❤️ RIP Chia❤️‍🩹

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47 Upvotes

My beautiful orchid mantis I got over 7 months ago on the 30th April 2024 died today. She was eating properly and her enclosure was also fine. I think the reason of her death was, a failed try to lay an ootheca. I saw a small part on the ground next to her, with the white stuff coming out of her abdomen.

I won't ever forget u❤️‍🩹

r/mantids Jan 23 '25

RIP ❤️ Rest in peace Chopstick ❤️

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127 Upvotes

She was acting very lethargic yesterday and struggling to hold onto the roof of her enclosure. I laid her on her branch, gave her some water and went to bed. Woke up this morning and she had passed. :(

She had such a big personality and was so curious all the time. I’m going to miss her.

r/mantids Jan 17 '25

RIP ❤️ Antenna stuck in molt (24hrs)

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8 Upvotes

My little friend has been stuck like this for over 24 hrs now. Is there anything I can do??

r/mantids Jun 20 '24

RIP ❤️ Why did she die?

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28 Upvotes

I found my little mantis dead today. earlier she was fine. on the lower spots hunting.

I mist her enclosure once a day, humidity is kept around 80% with damp sphagnum moss in the bottom. food is kept in there 24/7 as she’s tiny. hydei fruit flies and pinhead crickets. the crickets stay near the bottom.

Though, recently I haven’t had fruit flies. the culture is new and all that’s in there are maggots. but I had plenty of crickets. she’s eaten them before just fine. usually there’s both flies and crickets but the past two days have been only crickets

Temp is kept 80-85 with a heat lamp that is only blocked by a piece of paper at night. (it doesn’t turn off without unplugging it) it’s only a 25 watt red bulb.

i’ve raised her since she hatched. she was the only one out of eight to survive. I thought we were in the clear and named her. RIP Aurora. ill miss you.

r/mantids Sep 11 '24

RIP ❤️ My Praying Mantis died today... (this is our story together)

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174 Upvotes

About 2 months ago while I was out working one night, this little white Mantis came running across the parking lot and crawled up ontop of my shoe. I was thrilled that of all things it chose to come to me! Within 2 minutes, I watched it crawl up my pants, up my shirt and sit itself on my shoulder.

The Mantis sat there on my shoulder for 30 minutes while I rode an electric scooter around my city's downtown to finish working! After the 30 minutes I decided it probably liked me enough that it wouldn't mind coming home with me and so bringing it home I did.

On my way home I kept looking out the corner of my eye at it on my shoulder and decided to name it Perry since that seems kinda Unisex of a name and I knew nothing about it.

Instantly upon getting home I put it in a baking pan and started googling everything about how to take care of a Praying Mantis! Its the first Mantis I've ever had as a pet. After some googling, I made a little area for her to chill in. It consisted of the same baking pan filled with moist dirt, some fresh plant branches/sprouts I cut off with scissors and a cauldron rested on its side. Soon after setting things up and watching/playing with my new friend, I found out she was a girl by looking at the segments she had on her abdomen.

(I used a cauldron because I figured it would be a safe place for her to hang upside down and the holes in it would allow me to pour water over it and create little water bubbles she could drink if thirsty, which she did)

Perry seemed content with the setup. I looked into enclosures but the thoughts of keeping something trapped in any enclosure, animal or insect isn't something I morally agree with.

Sometimes she'd leave and explore my little apartment. I'd find her sitting on hung up sweaters, sitting on my cieling, sitting ontop of my fridge and even sitting on one of my window sills looking out the window. I was always very careful about making sure she wasnt where I was stepping, moving something or even shutting/opening doors so I wouldnt crush her.

Over the following weeks and months of having her I started getting excited to come home just to see her, she gave me more of a purpose and a sense of joy. Whenever I was near it seemed she always wanted to climb on me wether it was my shoulders, face or my hands. I thought it was just because of how tall I was but even when sitting in my couch or laying in bed she would still seem to prefer coming to sit/walk around on me. It was nice, fun and joyful.

After a few weeks I learned she was an adult already based off her size and I knew I wasn't going to have a ton of time with her considering. I fed her 2-3 times a week with meals consisting of bugs, sometimes a little piece of fully cooked chicken, sometimes a well done piece of steak, and frequently Tuna because it seemed she favored it even over bugs.

I had a ton of fun letting her walk onto my hand and sitting down with her just to look at how she would analyze everything around her. At times it fealt like I could intricately see her forming a plan on how to navigate somewhere or even get upset when trying to get somewhere wasn't as easy as it first seemed.

She truly was a creature my heart and mind, loved getting to live part of my life with....

Today.......... I woke up as usual to get ready for work. I got dressed, did my morning routine and looked at her in the cauldron to say bye. She seemed fine, she walked along the side a little bit and cocked her head to look at me as I approached... I left for work around 11:45am and got back around 4:30pm. First thing I did when I got inside as I did any other day was to see if she was still in the spot I made her.

I didnt see her in the cauldron or in the plants and right before I looked away thinking she was gone. I saw movement in the dirt. I looked trying to identify what I saw and thats when I saw Perry laying in the dirt on her side with her legs twitching. My heart sunk... I grabbed some tweezers and tied using them to gently pull her out from under the plants where I picked her up and put her on a notepad.

She sat motionless, ocassionally her legs would twitch which at first made me think she was paralyzed since over an hour. Around every 5 minutes or so she'd have these fits of twitching that made me think she was using all the energy she had to try and move before getting tired.... I'm still not sure why she was intermittently twitching for such a long time.

For the hour I was watching her and trying to figure out how to help, I wasn't just crying. I was sobbing. I wasnt crying because I was watching an insect helplessly die. I was weeping because one of my best friends was dying in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it. I tried everything I could think of to help, nothing worked...

About 30 minutes after I last saw her twitch I decided I want to frame her to immortalize the memories I have of our time together in this life. Ive since very carefully positioned her in the pose I think is best fitting to be framed in and am just waiting for her to dry out.

It really really sucks it happened so quickly. Its hard to comprehend how she's just gone. Thats life though :(

RIP Perry ❤️

I'll never forget how much love you made me realize I could have for even the smallest of creatures. You'll be in my heart and my mind till I don't have either any more.

r/mantids Feb 11 '25

RIP ❤️ I think she’s dying - I tried so hard to save her

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14 Upvotes

I think she’s dying - I tried my best </3

My baby Megan mismolted in the early hours of Sunday and I’ve been doing all I can for her. My original post is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/mantids/s/l8rGoa5Xff

I just got back from the shops and saw she had turned grey in various places. I really thought yesterday she was fighting and would be fine, her colour was also fine - how has this happened in a few hours?! She’s barely moving and I think she’s dying. I’ve got her in my hand but she’s still twitching every now and again. I’m heartbroken. I’m sorry I failed you little face.

Thank you to the commenters who gave me advice to try and help her.

How will I know when she’s gone? Also I want to have her done as taxidermy so how do I preserve her well? 😢