Mantis Care

Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Sun Jun 01, 2014 6:28 pm

Hi everyone,
These are two mantises I found. They where both found on the same type of plant (The red plant in the first picture). I want to keep them, but just need some keeping suggestions, like cage size, substrate, deco...etc. I am new to keeping invertebrates, but keen to start :D . ID would also be appreciated. :-P
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Image
Thanks, and sorry for bad pictures.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby Westley Price » Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:00 pm

Awesome finds man.

I suggest you give them a go. I think what you have there are two young Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii or a closely related species.

If you check on Google there's a ton of info on them because they are such beautiful mantids, which in turn makes them quite popular too.

Let us know how they do.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Mon Jun 02, 2014 7:55 am

Here is a picture of my cage setup. The other cage for the other mantis is set up similarly. I'm using sifted sand for a substrate.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:17 pm

Just thought I'd share an update. Both Mantises have had a drink, and one of them has eaten a grasshopper.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby Westley Price » Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:06 pm

I would replace the sand with something like coco peat which hold humidity a bit better. Get a block from your local nursery.

And rather see if you can add some green foliage to make them feel more secure.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:05 am

Ok, will do. I cannot get it from any of the nurseries though...Malawi. Luckily I have some left over.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:32 am

Ok, here's the new cage setup. Using Tarantula peat as a substrate now, and lemon branches as foliage. :cool: I'm also using a fish tank (25cmx25cmx25cm) instead of a faunerium. I have a question though: Is it normal for Mantises to hang upside down on their enclosure lids all the time? :?:
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby Primogen » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:36 am

It could be because they normally hunt flying insects, so prefer to perch high up and wait for something to come by.
You should notice after awhile they will have a preferential spot they like to sit at.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:40 am

Thanks for the info. does this mean that I should feed them flying insects?
85% of all snakes are harmless!!!!
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby Primogen » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:47 am

You don't have to, they will eat pretty much any insect they can, just feed them whats easiest.
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:48 am

Got you. Thanks
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby reptile » Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:00 am

Just an update.
The one Mantis shed today, and the other one looks due to do so soon. I also have a question, and that is: "Can I feed the Mantis the day after it sheds, or does it need time so that its exoskeleton can dry, and harden?"
85% of all snakes are harmless!!!!
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Re: Mantis Care

Postby Marion » Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:05 pm

What pretty little guys. I only get the plain green and light brown ones in my garden (Gauteng South Africa) and I love them. Everyone in the family freaks when they come indoors or see a tiny baby, but I just let it hop onto my hand and put it in a plant outside. I actually have quite a few in my garden and find them so fascinating. Yours are gorgeous. Keep us updated.

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