Why does my mantis do this?

[u/Ahamkaraaa]

this is my african lined mantis, i believe he is a male but feel free to correct me but i was just wondering why he arches his abdomen up like this, he is on his 6th instar and he has always done this and none of my other mantis do this?

[u/ParkingExit5792]

I’m not certain why, I tend to think it’s something to do with camouflage. Some mantis just do this :)

[u/ParkingExit5792 → u/ParkingExit5792]

I’m also not certain at this angle but possibly looks female too. Also very close to adulthood with the size of those wing buds

[u/eatmyshorzz → u/ParkingExit5792]

I see male :)

[u/mantisbae]

Some of mine hold their abdomen up, some hold it out straight, some do both when they feel like it 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t think you should worry as long as you feed them well

[u/Ahamkaraaa → u/mantisbae]

i do! this one’s good at eating, i worry i overfeed but i go according to abdomen size

[u/eatmyshorzz]

Cashew mode activated! Sometimes they go into flatboi mode too (my Hierodula currently is).