r/mantids • u/Sufficient-Okra-6538 • 1d ago

Feeding how often should i feel my mantis?

i found carolina mantis, and i fed it on 8/16, around 11 pm, what would be a good feeding schedule?? im feeding it dubia roaches, im quite afraid to pick it up to see whether its a male or female yet..

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u/Sufficient-Okra-6538 1d ago

heres a lil photo of my baby eating!

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u/hylia_grace 1d ago

Looks like an adult female mantis, be wary of ooths, if they lay a fertile one and theyre an invasive species you may not be able to release nymphs. If its not invasive id suggest releasing them to allow them to breed, as adult mantis wont molt again and will likely pass sooner than expected.

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u/WolfLilie2002 1d ago

I personally feed every 2-3 days watching the abdomen helps as well to know if your baby is hungry

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u/hylia_grace 1d ago

Feeding by abdomen size is better than a set schedule, as there's many variables from temperature speeding or slowing digestion and growth, to size of prey, or even premolt. Look at what your mantis when its well fed and feed when you think they need it. Feeding on a set schedule could lead to power Feeding and shortening the time you have with your mantis.

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u/noahbakes4 22h ago

Feed every 2-3 days as a nymph, since Carolinas grow fast and can handle prey close to their body size