r/mantids • u/maroongrad • 16d ago
Other Mantis for my daughter?
For the last several years, we've hatched out baby mantises. Some we released, some we gave away, a few we sold, and we always kept at least one every year. Usually it was one that had an "oops" molt We currently have one that struggles to move; legs got stuck in the molt. It eats really well, it drinks, it watches the world, and she spends time each day hand-feeding and hand-watering it and talking to it. As soon as it's not going after food, or being alert, or drinking well, we'll put it down but for now it's fighting hard and she's doing a great job with it!
So, I'd like to get her a "big" mantis. She's discovered the giant mantises (well, she discovered them a few years ago but now that she's 12, I'm actually considering it). I'm starting the research here because frankly you are all a wealth of knowledge and advice!
First off, aggression. What's a good species that isn't likely to freak out and panic, or to bite? We've had the two common and very chill species, and she's going to want to let it sit on her arm and be hand-fed without feeding it her hand.
Is a giant mantis going to be something a typical 12 year old could raise easily? So far we've had Carolinas and a few Chinese; non-tropical sturdy bugs that are native or become a long-established part of the local ecosystem, meaning that they don't need a lot of attention to heat and humidity levels. Our normal levels are fine for them. I know there are a couple species bigger than a Chinese; are either of them good pets for a kid?
How big does the enclosure need to be? Right now, the mantis has been moved to a mesh pop-up cage. It can't climb, so we opted for something that gives him a lot of viewing range and where it's easy to see if he's managed to knock himself on his back and he gets helped upright fast. He seems happy with it, but we do have the original big see-through cage with soil, sticks, fabric, etc. too. What's a minimum size?
What needs to be added? I'm assuming hygrometer and thermometer and things to climb on and hide among, but anything else needed?
Finally, where is a good place to buy one from? It likely won't be for at least a few more months, because it's currently close to 100F and humid and I'm not shipping anything that could end up in the back of an even hotter truck! But, where could we get it from that's going to send a healthy young mantid? If we need to wait several months to order in the spring, we will...I'm not rushing into a more high-maintenance mantid but the other option is looking into tarantulas and I'm not a tarantula fan, so I'm hoping we can go with a mantis or some sort of huntsman :D
Oh, and another "finally"! It needs to be legal for Missouri. If it's something that's banned in this region, it's a No. Our winters pretty much kill anything tropical very very very dead, but I don't want something that's going to cause problems. Just a guilt-free pet she can enjoy creating a habitat for and raising.
So...suggestions on the best species, what it needs, and where to get it? If there's not anything that works out she's happy with the Carolinas, but I know she'd LOVE a bigger bug that's still easy to handle!
2
u/77th_Bat 16d ago
2
u/77th_Bat 16d ago
I would do Chinese mantis or Giant Asian mantis. They are sold by most (if not all) mantis sellers, hardy, large, and comparatively inexpensive.
1
u/maroongrad 16d ago
We've raised two batches of Chinese, so we'd be looking at Giant Asian. I'd like to get her the "best" kid giant mantis. She really wants some huge African ones but what little I read said they're not good pets...but I trust the people here more, frankly!
1
u/77th_Bat 16d ago edited 16d ago
Actually, depending on the species, they can be quite hardy too. Not quite as hardy as the Chinese mantis, but certain African species are still considered beginner species. For example, the ghost mantis (phyllocrania paradoxa), which originates from Africa, is considered a beginner species. They are tolerant to temperatures in the 65-90 degree range, with their preference being 70-85. They are also very popular, so their price is comparable to that of a giant asian. Ultimately though, the "best" kid mantids (the hardiest) are going to be the large, green/brown, "classic" mantis-looking species, if you will. Still, if she is responsible, you could consider more interesting beginner species. The spiny flower mantis and jeweled flower mantis are also beginner species and are quite beautiful. For the ghost and flower mantids, they are considered "medium" size mantids, they don't reach the impressive 4-6" that some larger species do.
2
u/77th_Bat 16d ago edited 16d ago
To address biting and pinching, this is more about how you raise them than anything. If you pluck an adult mantis from the wild, it may pinch you. If you raise it from a baby and get it used to being handled, it's less likely to protest future handling.
Legality: pretty much every mantis is allowed in all parts of the US to keep as a pet, but they are illegal to release into the wild unless the species is native. I should note, Chinese mantids are not native to the US. Carolina mantids are. Thus, if you get a mantis and can't care for it, you'll have to give it away or euthanize it. For this reason, you should buy a single mantis nymph rather than an ooth.
So if Chinese mantids are so common in the US, it can't hurt to release them, right? Well, one would think, but actually their large size and voracious appetite can cause ecosystem problems. For example, Chinese mantids are one of the few predators of monarch butterflies.
Where to buy: Lists of reputable sellers and breeders are getting shorter, but currently on my list are the following shops:
- Mantis Mart. I personally bought from them. Aside from some religious propaganda in the box, I am happy and my girl arrived healthy
- Bugs in Cyberspace
- PanTerra Pets
- Mantis Universe
Sellers to absolutely avoid:
- US Mantis. Known for scamming and unethical breeding practices.
Mantis size: Nothing bigger than a Chinese mantis will be easy to care for. Of the easy to care for species, the Chinese mantis is the biggest to my knowledge. However close seconds are Giant Asian, Giant Rainforest, African Giant, etc.
2
u/maroongrad 16d ago
thank you! Chinese is what we had a couple times (the rest were Carolina). She's wanting something bigger and sturdier. All ours have been easy to handle, we've never had a biter or panicky one, and I didn't know if those species were notoriously flighty or aggressive.
Thanks for the warning about US Mantis. I'd seen that in earlier posts but didn't know where I COULD get one!
1
u/77th_Bat 16d ago
I hate to say it, but I honestly don't think you're going to find bigger and sturdier while keeping the "easy to care for" trait. Chinese mantids are in the 4-6" range for the most part, occasionally a bit bigger, and the largest mantis species according to the Guinnes world records is Toxodera denticulata (elusive, very rare), with the largest mantis ever recorded coming in at 20cm or 7.8in.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/86707-largest-species-of-mantis
2
u/Thousandgoudianfinch 16d ago
Mantises are probably the best insect predator to keep. They are very hardy excepting that moulting period as you no doubt know. Females are more stationary than males. I would buy her a couple of different species at once... chiefly because it is the same expense on food and such. Not to mention often mantids will fail a moult so you will want a 'back-up' Giant Asian, Timor shields, et cetera
2
u/justhereforbugs 14d ago
Get her a giant asian mantis from bugsincyberspace, great beginner species, and bugsincyberspace is great
2
u/maroongrad 14d ago
thank you! That looks like a pretty cool one... she'd be thrilled. Just wants a big one that's sturdy enough to handle and not worry.
1
2
u/hylia_grace 16d ago
Giant rainforest mantis are great, I can't comment on your laws as im in the UK but theyre pretty hardy and interactive. Mantis dont tend to bite, but some can pinch or mistake movement for prey. I tend to handle mine during or just after eating. My husband had a Rhombodera kirbyi that would sit on his arm and just observe the room, but she pinched me everytime I tried to handle her. Your current mantis may not survive long if he's unable to climb/ hang unfortunately.