Congo Bad Shed (with pic)

pj2412 · #1 (**permalink**) 1st January 2010, 21:17

Hey all, happy new year!

Anyways,

My Congo has just shed (sub adult I think) and it doesn't look to clever. One of his front raptorial arms is hanging limp!

Pic:

Can anyone offer advice?

sky_69 · #2 (**permalink**) 1st January 2010, 22:43

mhmm that doesnt look too good.. can it hang and walk ok? im no expert, but from my own experience, the arm may get eaten by the mantis itself.. i had an adult male do this shortly before he died of old age! if you find that the mantis is able to walk and hang ok, the damage should be corrected with the next shed since its not adult.. in the mean time, you may end up finding that you have to hand feed, or at least offer food so it can grab on with the good arm.. only if it cant catch its own prey

as i said, im not expert, so see what others say

Mousie Garbonzo · #3 (**permalink**) 6th January 2010, 00:13

I'd go with tweezer feeding too and avoid more "troublesome" foods like crickets. I had an African Lined moult into adulthood with a back leg hanging exactly as the raptorial arm is in that picture, it affected her balance quite severely but she hung in there. One day I woke up and she was fine, it was like someone replaced her with an exact replica! Hopefully the same happens for your congo

pj2412 · #4 (**permalink**) 6th January 2010, 10:35

She seems to be doing fine although she isn't moving much, but she is taking the food I offer her. No signs of her chewing her dodgy arm off though.

Hopefully all will be well after her next shed.