Need reply..mantis question!

[Thezillaman21]

Do the arms have to be taken off prey mantis before feeding them off??

 

[camimom]

i never did.

 

[Thezillaman21]

i never did.

Thank you so much

 

[pssh]

No, but you can if you want.

 

[ASublimeDay]

I've only ever fed off babies. I'd be nervous feeding off an adult, because depending on the species their spikes can get pretty formidable. I'd hate to see a cham catch one in the eye while the mantis is flailing in the cham's mouth.

I feel like a big enough jerk feeding off those cute bugs, I don't think I could stomach ripping off their arms.

 

[Action Jackson]

I don't pull them off but I worry about it everytime I feed off a Mantis, which is about every day lately. I also worry about their mouths. Sometimes the Chameleons will grab a Mantis and the head of the Mantis will go in their mouth while still alive. I worry about the Chameleon getting bit.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I worry more about what's going on inside the chameleons gut. But feel better when I see what 's been pushed out the butt.

 

[Action Jackson]

I fed Pickle an adult Chinese Mantis yesterday and she got it's head in her mouth without crushing it. Today I noticed she was puffing up her neck a little so I took a look in her mouth and sure enough she has a bite on the roof of her mouth,

 

[Thezillaman21]

I was told the reason chams aim for the head is because they have neuro toxins that cause the bug to die faster.. Idk someone with more knowledge than me would have to answer that before I'm sure its a correct statement. If so its not enough to even phase us...

 

[JonRich]

I was told the reason chams aim for the head is because they have neuro toxins that cause the bug to die faster.. Idk someone with more knowledge than me would have to answer that before I'm sure its a correct statement. If so its not enough to even phase us...

I don't think this is the case. I'm pretty sure Mantis just overpower their prey with no neuro toxin involved.. For Chams I think it's just easier for them to down an insect head first especially an odd shaped one such as a mantis. I notice my younger Chams taking head shots at crickets also