I rescued a grasshopper

[Antonio65]

About 10 days ago I rescued a grasshopper at my workplace. It was motionless in a corner of a hallway, so I careful caught it in a container and I was going to set it free outside in a small green when I noticed that the poor creature was severely maimed.
The two long legs that they use to hop, jump, were both missing, and also a middle leg on the right side was missing. I couldn't set it free in those conditions, so I put it in a transparent plastic container (about 5 in per side) and gave it some fruit, pieces of pears.
The grasshopper started eating voraciously, but I was sure it couldn't live long.

Well, about ten days later it is still alive and eating. It's still at my workplace, but I'm planning on taking it home.
Any tips on how I can help it further?

 

[FeralHearts]

I have no idea how to take care of a grasshopper but bless your heart for not setting him back into the wild like that.

I looked this up on google and it says:

"What is a grasshopper's favorite food?

Diet: Grasshoppers primarily eat fresh grasses and leaves. You can also provide other leafy greens like dandelion greens, clover, and alfalfa."

That makes sense.

Don't forget he / she might need a small water dish and safe place to rest.

It doesn't look like they live too long in general :-(

 

[neely]

Any tips on how I can help it further?

I would suggest contacting an entomologist. Here is a link where you can email the society in the U.S.: Contact
Perhaps there is one in your country also. Good luck!

 

[Antonio65]

Diet: Grasshoppers primarily eat fresh grasses and leaves. You can also provide other leafy greens like dandelion greens, clover, and alfalfa."

This season is the worst for such grasses. I'll do my best to find them.

Don't forget he / she might need a small water dish and safe place to rest.

I thought that the water contained in a juicy slice of ripe pear would do. I'll put a little dish with some water. Thanks.

It doesn't look like they live too long in general :-(

Yes, I saw that...

 

[Antonio65]

I would suggest contacting an entomologist. Here is a link where you can email the society in the U.S.: Contact
Perhaps there is one in your country also. Good luck!

That contact form doesn't seem to include an option for this kind of info.
I don't think there's something like this in my country. The only websites on how to take care of a grasshopper are those where they teach how to start an intensive "farming" to use them as food for other pets or for human food industry.

 

[Antonio65]

I wonder if and how much it is suffering. I wonder if it's in physical pain for the missing legs.
I wonder how psychologically painful it may be for the grasshopper to live in a box and not be able to live as it should supposed to do.

 

[Antonio65]

I put some dandelion leaves and a plastic cap with water in the box of the grasshopper.
Also, a made a bedding of dead leaves. It seems the grasshopper likes it

 

[Antonio65]

The dandelion was greatly appreciated

Thanks a lot, even on behalf of the grasshopper

 

[FeralHearts]

I wonder the same things about comfort , pain etc - but I understand wanting to try.

It is rather cute isn't it.

I'm not sure about pear water. I figure water would be a safe bet.

 

[Margot Lane]

This story gives me hope! Compassion for all creatures! Have you named it? Can you tell if girl or boy?

 

[FeralHearts]

This story gives me hope! Compassion for all creatures!

It does doesn't it!!!


Antonio65 soem cat grasses are alfalfa.... just a thought.

 

[Antonio65]

This story gives me hope! Compassion for all creatures! Have you named it? Can you tell if girl or boy?

Thanks Margot Lane , I try to help as many creatures as possible.
No, I haven't named it, it's hard to find a name for an insect
I haven't checked its gender either, but I will have a better look tomorrow

 

[Antonio65]

Antonio65 soem cat grasses are alfalfa.... just a thought.

Currently I have access to plenty of dandelion, and I have to admit that I couldn't tell alfalfa

 

[Eurocat]

Hi Antonio - that‘s lovely of you
Among other insects, amphibians, fish and (injured) wildlife I kept and studied grasshoppers as a teenager in a large terrarium for one season. Like you my interest also stemmed from a huge female injured green grasshopper (common green grasshopper) I found one year at the beginning of the autumn. She died when it started getting colder, which is the normal lifecycle of grasshoppers (this was the UK) but the next year, enthused by my experience the year before, I caught and observed a male and female through their whole lifecycle, releasing the nymphs the next April when they hatched.
With grasshoppers the females are usually considerably larger than the males.
In their nymphal stages they amazingly have the ability to regenerate limbs and antennae and you‘ll find that after the next moult (or ecdysis) but in your case you‘ll already have the adult, so no hope there, I‘m afraid. I also don’t think your grasshopper has much time left unfortunately, but you can make it as comfortable as possible by offering it fresh vegetation (maybe as a thought even cat grass?) or as already suggested alfaalfa or wheat grass. They also need moisture and will often drink water droplets if you offer them (although it may get enough from the fruit you‘ve offered)
From the pictures is seems that your grasshopper may be this type:
Calliptamus italicus - Wikipedia

As for if it‘s suffering without its legs - it‘s hard to say BUT Insects are very robust and I think if it is eating well and is in a secure place with a nice temperate climate to live in, it has won the grasshopper lottery with you as to where to spend its twighlight days.

If you take a look at it‘s rear end it‘s usually pretty clear if it‘s male or female. This is quite informative here:
https://www.hamilton-local.k12.oh.us/Downloads/5-10_Grasshopper Dissection.pdf

Our natural world is filled with wonder and I think it‘s wonderful when we can appreciate it, so I really love your post. Everything is connected and interdependent.

 

[Antonio65]

Hi Antonio - that‘s lovely of you
Among other insects, amphibians, fish and (injured) wildlife I kept and studied grasshoppers as a teenager in a large terrarium for one season. Like you my interest also stemmed from a huge female injured green grasshopper (common green grasshopper) I found one year at the beginning of the autumn.
[...]
As for if it‘s suffering without its legs - it‘s hard to say BUT Insects are very robust and I think if it is eating well and is in a secure place with a nice temperate climate to live in, it has won the grasshopper lottery with you as to where to spend its twighlight days.

If you take a look at it‘s rear end it‘s usually pretty clear if it‘s male or female. This is quite informative here:
https://www.hamilton-local.k12.oh.us/Downloads/5-10_Grasshopper Dissection.pdf

Thanks for your incredible tips and experience.
As for the grasses, I only have dandelion, and I will take care of the grasshopper as long as it lives. I know they have a short lifespan, but love can do miracles.
By the way, I saw it's a female

 

[catapault]

Antonio65 with natural wild greenery in limited supply and if you cannot find cat grass, alfalfa, whatever - would some soft outer lettuce leaves be an option?

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

Hi Antonio65 - I asked the AI, Grok, about what to feed grasshoppers, and although its initial answer spoke of various types of grasses as a main option, it also mentioned they eat the leaves from plants like lettuce, cabbage and kale. Also clover. You might also offer little bit of shredded carrot. Grok said that grasshoppers get most of their hydration from food, and suggested lightly spritzing clean water on the veggies & plants or leaves, prior to you offering the food. There is a warning that they prefer drier environments, so avoid too much humidity. I think they might like corn, too. Grok drew its information from about 15 web sites or news stories, so the info is publicly available.

 

[Cat McCannon]

The Grasshopper Distribution System strikes again!

 

[Antonio65]

I'm sorry to inform you that my grasshopper passed away today, I found her dead on the bottom of the plastic container.
I'm so sad, I hoped she could live longer and I was planning on bringing her home in the next couple of days. She was at my workplace, in a luminous and warm environment, but next week the place will be closed for the Christmas holidays and the heating would have turned down.
My plan was to buy a case to keep her safe at home. Now I don't need it anymore.

I wonder what I did wrong. She had fresh grasses daily, water and a safe place, what did I do wrong?
Tomorrow I will bury her.

Thank everyone for your kind support, help and info.

 

[FeralHearts]

:-( *hugs*

RIP little Grasshopper.

I doubt you did anything wrong at all. Very short lives and with her issues...

She had a nice warm, safe place (and well plotted out) to be.

You did right by her in every way.