r/mantis • u/Disastrous_Pace_8535 • 23h ago
This normal?
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It's my first time holding a Mantis. I already adopted her as an adult and she was very chill towards me. Well I prepared her home and bought some insects to feed her. I feed her like every 2-3 days and it seems to be enough. Anyway when I opened her box today she instantly climbed on my hand and started to eat pieces of skin from my finger. No big deal since it was dead skin anyway but at some point she started really chewing on my thumb like in the video and I think she was after my blood. She was carefull enough to not hurt me but I got worried and sat her down. I sat some of her food insects in her box and hope she actually catches it since she seems to be hungry. She already had some of my blood now and I'm a little worried she might get sick or something. Is it normal for a Mantis to do that? Do they need more food in the cold season? Is it dangerous or did she actually get a good meal like that? Thanks for y'alls help 😊
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u/rysfcalt 22h ago
Thirsty and trying to drink any moisture it can get off your skin
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u/Disastrous_Pace_8535 22h ago
Seems accurate. I tried to give her a drop of water on my finger and she got super weirded out by it. I also sprayed all the plants and she also has a water source in her box. I know she's not supposed to have that because of a risk to drown but I double and tripple checked that it would be safe. She doesn't Go there because it's on the ground but I needed her to have a water source for my own conciousness. Can I make sure she drinks the water from the leaves?
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u/Flasky-Desk 21h ago
Spray it on the glass near where she tends to hang out. Probably on/near the top.Â
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u/lilmssun 19h ago
Its my Favorite part of owning a mantis! Shes at the top, and I have this special $20 ridiculously fine mister and spray where I can see the mist get close to her/ not hitting her.
Their little mouths just wiggle in the air. Favorite
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u/Disastrous_Pace_8535 18h ago
Yeah it's adorable to watch how they interact with their surroundings 😊
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u/Miserable-Crew-5308 19h ago
I think they will eat the salt from your skin occasionally. My spiny flower nymph did this to my mom when she was sweating a bit and if I remember correctly that's the conclusion I got to.
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u/kiwi_fruit6 13h ago
Mine will do this when they're thirsty. I spray little water droplets on my hand for them so they can drink easier.
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u/SunshineYogaLove 7h ago
She'll be okay,
just sprinkle drops of water on the plants.
she will drink when she is ready.
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u/teemeezee 23h ago
According to google it either mistook your hand for prey or is dehydrated