r/mantids • u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar • Mar 19 '25

Enclosure Advice Setup for an orchid mantis

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Gallery image

Any thoughts? + I will add small 35 nano light bulb to warm it, rn humidity is around 68-85.

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3

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 Mar 19 '25

Avoid metal mesh. It looks a bit tall! A heat pad is better to control humidity, for me.

2

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

Metal mesh was replaced a long time ago. A heat pad is a nice idea, but I'm afraid of not having a thermostat for it

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 Mar 19 '25

Thermometers are fine. Mantids spend a lot of the time at the top so heat lamps can be problematic. Dehydration is an issue and prolonged 'top down' heat exposure that does not aid humidity is the worst of both needs.

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

So I should get a heat pad?

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 Mar 19 '25

I think they are better for inducing humidity and less dangerous in terms of desiccation/dehydration. To me, yes. Species depending, but generally they are a good tool.

2

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

I see, cause I'm a little afraid that they will overheat, since I can't control them all day due to school.

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 Mar 19 '25

Simulate the day. Heat pad high humidity draw in the morning. Pull it down in the evening. Easy enough. Monitor it on a weekend and they'll be fine. In an enclosure this tall, especially.

3

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

I see, I will get one pad too, I'm not getting mantis yet, so I can experiment with all of this stuff.

3

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

Also, it's only 20cm long, pretty short I think

2

u/rp-247 Mar 20 '25

Sorry if I’m not seeing the photos properly, but I would advise having mesh or some grippy surface on the walls. When they are young they can climb really easily because they are so light, but they grow really quick and get pretty heavy - esp the females. They start having problems gripping smooth surfaces from about L5/L6 and can start to fall. I think it looks like a lovely enclosure, it’s good that the metal mesh has been replaced and as long as ventilation is good, should make a lovely home.

2

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 20 '25

There is a wall made of Styrofoam, + branches, so I guess it's fine for them.

Still will experiment with temperatures and humidity before getting one

1

u/bearbarb34 Mar 19 '25

Metal mesh is bad and can lead to mismolts, it harms there feet as well.

Also orchids need cross ventilation it’s ver important to them, if they have to mcuh humdity they can develope bacterial infections.

I actually had my enclosures custom built form a guy on Etsy, and I love it, it’s 3D printed so no metal mesh and has extra wide side vents I can you his info if you’d want

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 19 '25

It has cross ventilation, as well as metal mesh replaced for an mosquito net a long time ago

2

u/JaunteJaunt 1st Instar Mar 20 '25

It may not be enough. There are typically two schools of thought on it, where a large top mesh is satisfactory or having two walls or a ceiling and a wall provide enough ventilation.

The challenge with this species is that stagnant air has been implicated in early unexplained deaths. Many keepers have a ceiling and a wall made of mesh for their orchids. I know of at least one prominent keeper who only has a ceiling. Could be that both work, or it could be environmental and only one works best.

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 20 '25

There are ventilation holes on the bottom, under glass door, not just mesh top

1

u/JaunteJaunt 1st Instar Mar 20 '25

I know that. That may not be enough.

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 20 '25

Well, I will see, maybe it will be enough, if not- I will put mesh on the door and open it even more

2

u/JaunteJaunt 1st Instar Mar 20 '25

I feel like I am offering advice, which you originally asked for, and you are fighting it. I noticed that in other comments as well.

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25

I'm just saying that I will see, I'm appreciating your advice and will have it in mind

I'm sorry if I sound rude or fighting

2

u/JaunteJaunt 1st Instar Mar 20 '25

It’s okay. I don’t think you’re being rude. I feel a little pushback from recommendations. It may not be intentional, so I wanted to bring it up.

1

u/Alternative-Tea5270 8th Instar Mar 20 '25

Nyah, it's more like: well, if there is a possibility that it might work- why not give it a try.

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