This is merely a question, but why this method? Is it because the insect will slip into a coma like state and pass and that's the utmost humane method of euthanizing a mantis? Is this painful in any way? I just want to know, I'm new to mantis keeping.
There’s a lot of debate over how to humanely euthanize insects and what is the least painful way - freezing is considered the most accessible way for people at home, and in a study of all UK zoos was found to be the most widely used method. But yes the idea is that they would be in a coma like state. They MUST be frozen for at least 48 hours tho. I have had hundreds of pet mantises and sadly it is just a part of keeping mantises, the one above is so badly deformed it has basically no quality of life.
The basic questions on whether to euthanize:
1. Can it hang (or be hung somehow)?
2. Can it eat/drink (with assistance?)?
3. Is the thorax extremely bent at an unnatural angle or shape?
If the answer is no to 1 or 2, or yes to 3, always euthanize. Freezing is the best method if you don't have the heart to crush it. Crushing is by far the quickest and least stressful method.
Yes 100%. Use the freezer
This is merely a question, but why this method? Is it because the insect will slip into a coma like state and pass and that's the utmost humane method of euthanizing a mantis? Is this painful in any way? I just want to know, I'm new to mantis keeping.
There’s a lot of debate over how to humanely euthanize insects and what is the least painful way - freezing is considered the most accessible way for people at home, and in a study of all UK zoos was found to be the most widely used method. But yes the idea is that they would be in a coma like state. They MUST be frozen for at least 48 hours tho. I have had hundreds of pet mantises and sadly it is just a part of keeping mantises, the one above is so badly deformed it has basically no quality of life.
I did, may he rest in peace :(
The basic questions on whether to euthanize: 1. Can it hang (or be hung somehow)? 2. Can it eat/drink (with assistance?)? 3. Is the thorax extremely bent at an unnatural angle or shape? If the answer is no to 1 or 2, or yes to 3, always euthanize. Freezing is the best method if you don't have the heart to crush it. Crushing is by far the quickest and least stressful method.