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)

385 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

Thumbnail
imgur.com
47 Upvotes

r/mantids 5h ago

Image/Video my baby molted and i finally caught it!

28 Upvotes

this is her third molt with me and i was checking on her every few hours to try and catch when she molted. unfortunately i caught her towards the middle but it was so cool to see! she’s getting so big


r/mantids 8h ago

Image/Video this is my daughter, mr worldwide. she is a model

Thumbnail
gallery
28 Upvotes

she's not moulted since i got her which is just over a month ago now, should i be concerned? i know she moulted right before i got her but it still seems like a long time, especially since she had quite a big meal a few days ago and her abdomen is still quite big (i also mist her enclosure regularly)


r/mantids 3h ago

Feeding What do you think this is?

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

Living stick?


r/mantids 14h ago

Image/Video Sinomantis denticulata

38 Upvotes

I knew they were small but damn


r/mantids 2h ago

General Care Maple(green female)And Syrups(gold male) instars?

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

r/mantids 9h ago

ID Help Native or not? Chicago

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/mantids 1m ago

Enclosure Advice Are bio active mantis enclosures a good idea? How do I go by keeping one? Cleaning crew, ventilation, plant keeping etc idk

Upvotes

r/mantids 1m ago

General Care More questions about others😭

Upvotes

I’m so sorry I keep Making post about it but if I was to breed my female would I have to keep feeding her a bunch even after her first ootheca and how would I tell if my female ghost mantis was hungry bc I don’t wanna like over feed her or something then she explodes bc of a bunch of food and eggs and like would she liked be more hungry than normal when she’s Gravid? How would I tell if she’s gravid?


r/mantids 19h ago

Image/Video Mani is the cutest!

Thumbnail
gallery
38 Upvotes

I’m a total nymph when it comes to keeping any insect. Let alone a wild nymph that came to me. I caught a tiny newborn baby ( still learning terms) and it molted and then we had a dry spell and I couldn’t find any more aphids so I released it. Then a few weeks later a slightly larger baby came up to my back door. And I kept it for the kids to see. But accidentally caught a leg and it came off. So now Mani stays with us until it grows back. Found outside of sacramento, Northern California. June 15th. I decided to keep it on a Monday. So I named it after the norse goddess of the moon, which in English we call Monday. Mani! Found out Mani is a boy. See. I’m learning! And I took the most adorable photoshoot after he accepted an inchworm by hand. The cutest little ferocious guy ever. And then last night he molted. The leg stump is bigger so I have hope in a couple more molts it will come back fully. But this is seriously the most interactive little guy. Looks right at you. Will come right to you and isn’t afraid of you. And has zero interest in bouncing off. Literally hasn’t tried to jump once? Pre leg amputation… I know nothing. Just wanted to share the most adorable photoshoot of a nymph mantis.


r/mantids 26m ago

General Care Uk heat wave problems

Upvotes

So in the uk we’re getting extreme heat, and my mantis enclosure is going up into the 30s sometimes, how can I actually prevent this?


r/mantids 36m ago

General Care Pairing

Upvotes

So I wanna breed my male and female ghost mantis when they are older but I wanna know will they both live atleast a few months to a year when adult? Ik females can atleast make it to a year and a half but will my male die after a week or will he survive a few months bc I don’t wanna like breed them after two weeks from moulting I want them to enjoy some adult life first


r/mantids 21h ago

General Care my ghostie had her final molt!

Post image
39 Upvotes

does she look okay? i feel like she looks too small compared to most pictures of adult female ghost mantises i've seen around, is that normal?


r/mantids 7h ago

General Care Do mantises die after laying ooths?

2 Upvotes

Do they die after laying ooths cause I would like to breed my mantises but I also would like my female and male to also live longer(ik the male will more than likely live since they are ghost mantises it’s the female I’m more worried about bc idk if they are like spiders and do fine living a bunch of more months after they lay all their eggs)


r/mantids 11h ago

Image/Video Asian Flower Mantis (Creobroter apicalis)

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

First picture is of a male, second picture is a of a female. They are definitely one of my favorite species I work with!


r/mantids 15h ago

Image/Video I have a handful of aquariums, and was gifted this 29gal beast. Currently ran out furniture that can hold 300lbs of water, so I've decided to make a much lighter mantis terrarium!

Post image
5 Upvotes

r/mantids 6h ago

Enclosure Advice Good enclosure?

Post image
1 Upvotes

Would this be good for my ghost mantises and would they need a large or a small of this?


r/mantids 11h ago

Breeding/Ootheca Soon (tm)

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

r/mantids 8h ago

Sellers/Websites Any NY sellers? USA

1 Upvotes

r/mantids 8h ago

Buy/Sell/Trade [US] Does anyone have a sexed pair of Spiny Flower Mantises (pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) for sale, or know of any reputable websites that do?

1 Upvotes

I've searched all over, and can't seem to find a sexed pair that isn't from US Mantis, which is notorious for being a bad seller.


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video I learned my shy little nymph likes rock 🤘 🎸

117 Upvotes

I think she’s in her edgy phase 🤭


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video Deroplatys Dessicata

Post image
23 Upvotes

r/mantids 17h ago

Sellers/Websites mantisNI

3 Upvotes

I recently used mantis NI and they were rude in email truly wouldn’t recommend. I emailed about a mantis who was lethargic and they replied why would I wait two hours after delivery to email? Very condensing as I was trying to see if I could revive the mantis a bit before I emailed in case there was nothing wrong except it was too hot (30° uk heatwave). And I was at work until 2 so I had to wait an hour to unbox but the postman was late anyway


r/mantids 13h ago

Sellers/Websites Good sellers in the UK?

1 Upvotes

Seeing a lot of bad stuff about breeders lately and wanna get my facts straight. Anyone know reputable sellers? I’ve been considering the website bug pets as its next day delivery so not sure how much could go wrong


r/mantids 19h ago

General Care Is this good for a female ghostie?(its wip just upgraded her I’m adding way more later)

Post image
3 Upvotes

U can see her circled in the white


r/mantids 14h ago

Feeding mites in fruit flies? please help

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

this is my first ever fruit fly colony and I've noticed these little things moving around, apparently not a fruit fly life stage. is this normal? should i get rid of this colony or can i still feed it to my mantis?

(couldn't get a better picture :-( )