Feeding Help
hey there! I’m not on Reddit much but I figured i could get some first hand help from here! I got my first praying mantis about two weeks or so ago. I have a lovely enclosure that I keep as humid as possible at all times, with little hiding places, a real plant or two, some wood, and a mix of mulch/dirt for the ground. I don’t think there should be any reason for it, but my praying mantis (Jude) hasn’t been eating. at first I wondered if they were going into their molt, but that hasn’t happened yet. I have fed him a few times but it’s a real struggle. I am constantly dropping the little worms (bought from the breeder I got him from so it should be the right size of food), and losing them in the enclosure and have to dig through and find them. I have tried gently pulling Jude out and placing them in a separate enclosed area with the worms so he can hunt himself without them digging in the dirt, and that’s worked maybe once or twice. but half the time he doesn’t like it and I don’t want to stress him out so it doesn’t work. I am scared I’m underfeeding him but I genuinely either am struggling myself or he is refusing to take the food even when it’s swaying in front of him. does anyone have some tips that I could try to encourage my praying mantis to feed? he is my first insect pet and I want to care for him properly.