Praying mantis & bad molt

[Elphaba]

Help! I woke up this AM to my praying Mantis on the bottom of her enclosure, while molting. She obviously fell & was in a bad position. Her back legs were still inside her old skin. I managed to pick her up & get the skin off. (this was her 3rd molt since she found me) Now, her 4 legs are all messed up, her wings unfolded & those are a mess too & getting in the way of her legs. I've tried to carefully position her legs the way they should be before she hardens. But I really just want to leave her alone to rest. Stupid question but could I cut her wings off if they don't lay down & fold like they should? Will that hurt her?

 

[Tbone192]

I'm sorry this has happened to your mantis and by extension you. Bad molts do happen and they are very unfortunate only thing I can think of is always make sure the enclosure is a good humidity when your mantis is about to molt. I don't really know what you can do for her currently but I'd just let her rest.

There is a chance she can potentially correct it and just have a missing leg for a couple molts but it does not look great.

Keep this thread updated and I'll try to help as best I can. Hopefully someone who has experienced something similar with their mantids chimes in with some info. Best wishes.

 

[paumotu]

Those legs look like they are unable to support the animal. After it hardens and it is unable to climb/hang, euthanasia is likely the best option.