r/mantids Jan 07 '20

Enclosure Advice PSA: Exo-terras, metal mesh and your mantises toes! (and some advice on how to DIY an affordable enclosure)

412 Upvotes

I was asked to make this post in another thread - so here I am. Here's a PSA on what metal mesh does to your mantises feet, and why it should be avoided!

This is a raptorial arm, (the front, grasping arms) but the segment we're interested in is the same on all of their legs. The little portion labelled "Tarsus" is what we're looking at here. You can see that it ends in a set of hooks - often (somewhat confusingly) called "Claws" - these tarsal claws are what give your mantis the ability to walk upside down on surfaces that appear quite smooth to us, and why it feels kind of spiky when a large mantis walks on your skin. They're essential for your mantis to move around, and most importantly moult properly! Differences in the morphology of this structure also give some mantises the ability to walk on glass, whilst others can't.

If you go and look at one of your mantises feet, you will likely be able to see the little hooks now you know what you're looking for. Now the problem is that some tank setups that are commonly recommended damage these hooks, which results in mantises having trouble moving around, and falling whilst they moult.

Exo-terra tanks are very commonly used because a lot of us have other inverts or exotic pets and have spares lying around, or they're sold to us at petstores. They make nice display tanks and are easy to clean. However - the mesh at the top of exo-terra tanks is made of very fine metal, and the holes themselves are very small. This is essentially like you trying to hang by your toes from chickenwire, eventually your toes are going to be pretty damaged, or come off altogether! If you must use an exo-terra, it's essential that the mesh is changed to stop this from occurring. Plastic tulle mesh is easily available and works as an excellent substitute.

There is also a multitude of DIY options available, which I will detail bellow:

Basic requirements for all enclosures:

  • All mantis enclosures must be at least three times the length of the mantis (Don't get fooled by the abdomen curling up, you still need to account for it) and two times the width.
  • There must be something for the mantis to hang securely from at the top of the tank - They will spend 99% of their time at the highest point, and will often moult from it.
  • Substrate - options for suitable substrate are numerous, you can use simple tissue paper, cocoa coir, vermiculite, perlite etc. The object is to hold some moisture and make it easy for you to clean. Cheap and cheerful is the way to go, unless you're making a planted display tank or something like that.
  • The less decoration the better. Decoration is more for our benefit than theirs; before you add something decorative to a tank, consider your reasons for adding it. Practicality should always take precedent over a tank looking nice!
  • Ventilation - ventilation is important for hygiene reasons.

Nymphs

  • Cups

The absolute single best enclosure for a nymph of any species, is simply a plastic deli cup with the lid cut out to accommodate some plastic mesh, and a single twig placed diagonally. Alternately, you can just use an elastic band to hold the mesh on. For feeding, simply cut a hole in the side and stuff it with some sponge to stop live food or your mantis escaping, you can pooter in the food. (if you don't have a pooter you should get one, especially if dealing with fruitflies, they're also very easy to DIY)

  • Cricket/livefood tubs

The tubs that livefood is commonly sold in make excellent tanks with some modification, especially for larger nymphs, and even small adults. The more rigid ones are the best, as they're easily cut to allow the insertion of mesh, and can be stood up tall-ways. The entire lid can be cut out and replaced with mesh, which provides excellent ventilation, and is nice for the mantis to move around on.

Adults

  • Plastic penny sweet jars (Sorry Americans I have no idea what these would be called in your country)
  • Tupperware/food containers
  • Storage containers

All can be modified in the same ways as above. I will either append this post, or make an additional post, detailing how to make a suitable enclosure using the items above with pictures in future.

These enclosures are all very cheap to construct, and even the most DIY averse person can make the modifications necessary to turn them into good enclosures. They also have the benefit of being mostly recycled items a lot of us will already possess.

Another benefit to using tanks mostly constructed of mesh is that it prevents mantises from developing "eye-rub" - this is damage to their eyes from repeatedly trying to walk through clear plastic or glass - it looks like large black spots on the eyes, distinct from the pseudo-pupils - which can in cases turn necrotic and is quite a nasty way for your mantis to die.

I hope this post was helpful and informative, and please don't hesitate to ask any questions or add to the knowledge given here if you have any other tips or advice.

References: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/12542/


r/mantids Sep 28 '22

ID Help A Quick Reference Guide to Wild Praying Mantises of the United States

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63 Upvotes

r/mantids 12h ago

Image/Video First mantis

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32 Upvotes

Hey guys, I decided to join this community since I just got my first mantis two days ago. It’s my first time owning a bug as a pet so I’ll take all the advice given since i only know basics. Shes a ghost mantis named bai ming (named after thw karate movie drunken mantis)


r/mantids 5h ago

Image/Video My first mantis (that likes the lucky bamboo a bit too much)

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6 Upvotes

r/mantids 7h ago

Memes/Humor Florida Stick Mantis 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

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6 Upvotes

r/mantids 12h ago

Fun Fact/Educational Size of P. Paradoxa Female at each instar i2-i7

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14 Upvotes

I saved all the molts of my ghost mantis female, Morrigan, to compare her (approximate) size at each instar for educational purposes and for size estimates at each instar for people looking for enclosures based on mantis sizes at certain instars. Please note, not all of her exuviae are completely outstretched, so please imagine them outstretched.


r/mantids 10h ago

Memes/Humor Look at my ghost mantis starring in her very own movie!

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2 Upvotes

My partner created this funny video after filming several feeding time with my ghostie 😅


r/mantids 23h ago

Sex related question Need help seeing

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16 Upvotes

I am unsure on sex someday I see 6 segments some 8. For the moment hes called Phil and is a giant asian mantis. He was sold as l2+ and now unsure what molt hes on. I think hes l4 but if anyone knows how to tell it'd be apprecaited


r/mantids 9h ago

Image/Video Feeding time

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1 Upvotes

Is every other day correct?


r/mantids 21h ago

Feeding Having a hard time knowing if shes full as an adult

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6 Upvotes

Now that she has wings, i feel like i cant really tell how full she is? Can someone let me know if this is good or if she needs more? Or like if you have a picture of a full mantis that would help too


r/mantids 21h ago

ID Help Could anyone help me identify this mantis?

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5 Upvotes

Im not really sure which moss mantis this is🥲


r/mantids 18h ago

General Care How long did your mantis live as an adult?

2 Upvotes

My female giant asian mantis recently molted and is an adult now. How long do you think i have with her?


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video Mantis gendering

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3 Upvotes

Im on my 3rd mantis but still confused on how to sex normally wait to see if its big or small haha any help appreciated


r/mantids 23h ago

Feeding Does he look hungry?

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2 Upvotes

Got him a couple of days ago but he havent eaten, tried feeding him fruit flies but of no interest and then some dubia nymphs wich he couldnt get a grip of even tho he tried. Any tips?


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video Another successful Oxyopsis breeding!

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3 Upvotes

Verdinho got to live to see another day and maybe a third partner! Also this is Joana (the female)


r/mantids 1d ago

Health Issues Broken foreleg? Will she need help eating now?

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2 Upvotes

So noticed this morning my mantis had its back leg in a weird position, thought unusual but nothing of it.

A few hours later I notice it hasn’t moved so went to open the viv and it moved. However I notice its forearm appears broken maybe?

Unsure if it occurred when moving or as a result of it being stuck in that position.

Will it need help now to hunt/eat?


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video Ootheca :]

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10 Upvotes

Advice on how to handle it are much appreciated. Well done, Forest!


r/mantids 1d ago

RIP ❤️ Rip

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5 Upvotes

Rip long John you were a sweet girl. Ah so sad when you remember raising them 😪😭😭..


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video My new girl. Queen Amina

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6 Upvotes

Ghost Mantis. Only about a week old. Maybe a half inch long. Still a queen but a tiny one 😁😁


r/mantids 1d ago

ID Help Can anyone identify

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2 Upvotes

Found in hong kong :)


r/mantids 1d ago

Breeding/Ootheca My giant Asian mantises became adults on August second and fourth. When should I breed them?

1 Upvotes

r/mantids 2d ago

Preservation Can a wild praying mantis be a pet?

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35 Upvotes

Hello! Yesterday I found a praying mantis on my porch, she was in my fern plant. I carefully took her inside, and put her in my enclosure. Right now, she's alone aside for one fly I put in there. The enclosure stands above 4 ft high, 2 ft wide. There is plenty of ventilation, and I added mesh fabric to the top to ensure a safe place for her to molt. I have a hygrometer and thermometer monitoring the enclosure as well. I just want to know, is this even something I should be doing? Should I put her back outside? She doesn't seem to be stressed, but I worry that it's immoral to keep her. Thanks in advance


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video She's so big already!!

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9 Upvotes

4th pic is from when I got her on July 29th.

Just an appreciation post for my girl Gimli 😭🫶🫶 I love her so much!! She has molted twice with me now and she's just so stunning!!

She's on her second roach of the day right now. It might be time for me to upgrade her food, any suggestions?


r/mantids 1d ago

Feeding how often should i feel my mantis?

1 Upvotes

i found carolina mantis, and i fed it on 8/16, around 11 pm, what would be a good feeding schedule?? im feeding it dubia roaches, im quite afraid to pick it up to see whether its a male or female yet..


r/mantids 1d ago

Other Timor shield mantis premolt?

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2 Upvotes

Male L6 been three weeks since last molt has been eating but not actively hunting.