Peacock keeps sealing himself inside rock? molting?

[tlouie]

Well my 4" peacock mantis keeps sealing himself inside his rock.

I got it a nice rock with 4 nice holes, connected to a central burrow.

The mantis keeps sealing off each of the holes with snail shells or rocks etc.

It was in there for two days, until i gently removed one of the shells. It came out to play for a couple minutes, then went back inside and sealed itself back inside again.

Do you think its getting ready to molt? why would it constantly be sealing itself inside?

Thanks

Ting

 

[brekurboy1]

Did you notice anything visibly wrong with it when it came out to play? I'm willing to say that it just wants some time alone to molt. Or maybe next time you remove the shells and rocks it'll come out and say, "STOP SMOTHERING ME!!!!!"

 

[tlouie]

well the mantis looks fine, i guess he is just being shy

i'll give him a couple more days of hiding in there

 

[Dexter1334]

He probably has another exit under the rock you don't see. They like multiple exits and always close up all except one. Mine is always opening and closing doors. I dangle a piece of raw shrimp and he kicks the door down and comes running.