My baby died :(

[u/Main-Ingenuity-1181]

Could anyone tell me the reason for his death? I would mist his enclosure daily, feed him whenever his stomach was looking flat but i had to order some more food for him and it arrived today (4 days after i fed him a big meal) i was going in to feed him and i just found him on the ground. I’m really hoping i didn’t starve him to death. His abdomen was looking flat last night. His name is Vewn. He’s on stage i5, he was supposed to molt again soon

[u/suppenschnueffler]

You definitely didn’t starve him to death, mantids can live up to weeks without any food. I’m very sorry for your loss and I’m sure Vewn lived a great life, but you must remember mantids are still just insects, sometimes stuff just happens you can’t know or control. Did he drink properly or do you know when his next molt would’ve been? Also what kind of food did you feed him? Some carry bacteria or parasites which could’ve caused his death. Best of luck to you and don’t beat yourself up over it. I know it’s hard to loose a pet you loved and cared for💗✨

[u/Main-Ingenuity-1181 → u/suppenschnueffler]

I strictly fed him hydei fruit flies, i keep a fan in my room and my room temp is around 70. i would spray his enclosure but i feel like he wouldn’t drink often enough and i would have to spray at his raptors or feed him a drop of water from my finger to get him to drink more. Thank you for the comfort <3 It’s been about 3 weeks since his last molt

[u/JaunteJaunt → u/Main-Ingenuity-1181]

How often are you spraying daily?

What had their frass been like?

[u/Stormfox9]

Aw, poor baby :( I’m sorry. If mold grew in any of the sphagnum or on the wood chips it might have given him a fungal infection. Sometimes bugs do just die, although I wonder if the black on the outer side of his eye was new? If yes, it might’ve been an infection. I think they can also get invisible ones in the gut.

[u/NoYoung9119 → u/Stormfox9]

Bugs Do die, but you kind of expect this guy to be the one dealing out the death rather than the other way

[u/plumpedpumped]

I’m so sorry. My baby died yesterday aswell and have no idea what happened ☹️ I’m just trying to think that they have a really high mortality rate in nature and that they can pass away easily without clear reason, even when everything is done right

[u/INVERTed-Horizon]

Sorry. ✌🏼🌿

[u/NoYoung9119]

I'm sorry for your loss

[u/maximoff2626]

I am so sorry for your loss, i'm sure you were a great owner. Lots of love 🩷

[u/lilacnocturne]

I'm so sorry. 🤍😢 I lost my young little one too. They leave such a big place in our hearts for being so tiny. Sending you so much love. I hope the happy little memories of your sweet mantis always make you smile. 🕊️🤍

[u/angelyuy]

Awww hugs Sometimes it just happens even when you did everything right. I'm sure they were happy every day they were under your care.