New Stagmomantis

[Patrick22]

Hi there, few days ago another adult mantis came to my front porch and this time I think it's a male mantis because it likes to fly quite a lot. Today we spent some good time together, then I wanted to wash it's hands and feet in water because he landed on some dust and dirt. There was no other way to convince my mantis to stay still because it consistently kept running. I decided to grab it by its back but gently until he lets go of the object that it's gripping. As soon as I was done with him, he stopped moving or responding to anything I do. He wasn't that wet, I just dipped in water the end of it's limbs. Then when I sat him on a branch he didn't climb or move unless I gently push him, and only then he started to run fast and then stopped moving again as if he froze in place. Is it playing dead? I'm thinking to myself. It's antenas are straight so I know he's alive and healthy although he refuses to eat but I will talk about it in another paragraph. He started swaying up and down, I know mantis do that before they start walking but it just kept swaying in one spot as if he wanted to climb but he couldn't. Was it waiting to dry? Moments later he began to show interest in me after I started handling him and then he flew on my face then onto window blinds. Later I will send few Youtube links to some of the new videos I've made. It has been 45 minutes since that incident, and he doesn't climb anymore like he has always done before, at least by himself. I've notice that if I walk up to him he will turn his head towards me and then he will slowly climb. So I would like someone to explain to me what caused this change in my mantis. Before I felt it's strength as he wandered around my hands. Now I feel like he got lighter. Or maybe I'm overthinking, but an explanation would be nice. I hope I didn't bent or disfigure its back or anything because I have lots of strength in my fingers, but I mentioned that I did it gently.

So I have an aquarium for my mantis and in it some small and adult size crickets who all live as a one happy family together with the mantis just hanging from the top. It suppose to be food for the mantis but he refuses to eat. In close contact with food the mantis backs away or kicks it. I also tried a moth and a slug that I found and no change in appetite. I don't understand where it gets his energy from. I got my mantis the 12 of october, a few days ago and ever since I found him he didn't eat anything.

Not Responding

Paying Attention

 

[Tentacle Toast]

You manhandled the poor thing, violently restrained, then essentially waterboarded him...who knows how.
Then, when you were "done with him," you wanted him to dance for you as though nothing happened. Is he stressed? At least, after that bit. Injured? Good chance of that, picturing this in my head (dust on his "hands," man? REALLY?)
What's "changed" isn't known, but maybe he don't move so good after that pummeling.
Also, get all of the crickets out of his tank, he's not hungry, & they're stressing him out. Generally not a good idea to OFFER (OFFER, do NOT try force feeding this poor thing if you feel he's hungry, I can only imagine THAT thread is next...Jesus, man) wild caught food, due to the risk of contamination, but that's the least of this poor mantis' problems.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Let em' adjust to the new enclosure after that stress. It's not going to eat right after that.

 

[Patrick22]

Nah he's fine and started eating. I over exaggerated.