Is my mantis molting??

[Princess_Penelope]

Ok..two weeks ago I picked up a Smithii. The first few days, he was all over the tank and smashing things left and right. For the past week, he's barricaded both entrances to his home and I haven't heard a peep from him. And he isn't eating. So the only thing I can think of is that he's molting. He was eating like a pig the first few days that I got him but now nothing. I've read that this is the type of behavior they present when they're molting but I would just like to make sure that this is normal behavior.

 

[ADHybrid]

Perfectly normal, perfectly healthy. My G. Smithii does this every time he wants to molt. The best thing is not to disturb him during this process as not to stress him. Good luck with this exciting mantis.

 

[Princess_Penelope]

Thank you I feel like a relieved parent

 

[rhiggsbear]

Guess mine is doing the same thing. I put him in his new home about a week ago and he/she was eating great. Then, the last couple day, nothing. I held a piece of krill over his burrow (it faces up - out of all the ones he could pick he picks the one I can't see in ). So, I took the cover off, got a flashlight and his hole is sealed tight.

How long does this usually take before he comes back out?