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I would definitely get rid of the paper towels. if you put it to your mouth and try to blow and it is labored than that means it is not proper ventilation. Also, since you will be misting the enclosure it will make the paper towels super prone to mold.
definitely go for panty hose or rubber mesh or shelf liners (what i use) DO NOT USE METAL MESH. it will damage their raptorials. also, i would take the cardboard out and use sticks. carboard will mold as well.
IF you plan on keeping this mantis i would say you probably want to get a little enclose with proper ventilation. i use the Zila Micro Habit for all my adults. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M4FNY5G?pf_rd_r=XMX424HFR0G4WQZZ95E4&pf_rd_p=89879054-2e37-4233-9fd7-bd5a93dd076a&pd_rd_r=e83d0905-acb7-4a44-ac3f-65901dcb9784&pd_rd_w=hehFK&pd_rd_wg=WNDPk
Also, be sure to stay away from crickets. there food tends to include carrots which is no good for mantids. and in all honesty crickets are probably the most bacteria ridden feeders you can get. opt for meal worms, roaches or flies.
make sure when you get your substrate you get a cleanup crew as well. their are several videos of how you can introduce these to the habit on youtube. i personally like springtails and grew woodlice.
These guys:
emours Flexible Bend-A-Branch Jungle Vines Pet Habitat Decor for Lizard,Frogs, Snakes and More Reptiles,Small, 3.2ft Long https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01JYPRIT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z4166SRFC8GQPMEPW0PS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Oh that’s the hydrometer ! I got it from Mini Hygrometer Thermometer 2PCS Mini Digital Humidity Gauge, AikTryee Hygrometer Indoor Humidity Monitor, Temperature Humidity Gauge Meter for Humidors, Greenhouse, Garden, Cellar, Closet, Etc https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMZL448/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_-2xbGb4S7PNPK
REPTI ZOO Magnetic Acrylic Reptile Breeding Box, 3"x3"x6" Transparent Feeding Box with Sliding Cover Reptile Terrarium Cage Tank for Insect Reptiles Tarantulas https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08635NQJ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HrwzFbGDYQVNM
Yeah so I used Mantis Universe for my order. I had the exact same concerns and they told me they did not have any issues with molting or regular heat. I got from them a “Restcloud enclosure.” and my Idolo just had a perfect molt. I keep the temperature at around 72-75 in the office and mist every other day, along with blue bottle flies. I put a link below, but mantis universe was absolutely amazing to help me.
RESTCLOUD Insect and Butterfly... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZKRVZZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
OH JEEZ. Okay, I read this and have been trying to get feedback with no luck. It sounds like you mean the TIGHT mesh with tiny tiny holes? I have LARGE holes like the size of his head (1/2 centimeter) Can somebody please let me know if I am hurting him right now? I'm worried. He does nothing but hang on it...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PV2Y6LS?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1
If your looking for a nice display case did you consider one of these?
Zilla Micro Habitat Terrariums with Locking Latch Arboreal, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M4DFWJW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_DYJBP5TZ4F6G23DSB2DW?psc=1
It is large enough to house most mantis breeds, doesn't look like a pickle jar and between the cracks in the sides and the vents on top should have adequate ventilation. I have been looking for a nice house as well as I have a ootheca waiting to hatch. That cage is one im considering but also thinking I might make one with some air vents you can buy on Amazon. That way it still looks nice and not like a plastic jar or tote with holes poked in it or a screen on top 🤷🏻♂️.
>Trying to keep to 2 inches or less for adult species size, would you recommend maybe a ghost mantis instead? Or a CREOBROTER GEMMATUS? I've been recommended both of these species so far. Also do you have any issues getting your mantis to eat the roaches? I had read some people had issues with feeder insects that stuck closer to the ground.
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>I am planning on keeping the mantis in a larger enclosure (4x4x8 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M4FNY5G/ref=twister\_B09FB9NHTN?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) then feeding in a separate smaller enclosure (https://usmantis.com/collections/containers/products/deli-cup-kits-vented-insect-habitats-with-feeding-port-mantis-helpers) so I can better monitor feedings .
Insect Feeding Box, Acrylic Reptile Breeding Box, Reptile Terrariums Transparent Reptiles Habitat Vivarium with Feeding Tools, for Spide, Lizard, Scorpion, Beetle, Crickets, Mantis, Geckos,12x12x20cm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GV288PF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GPCYYJ4AS72MZ6Y7QBZ9
Chinese mantids get considerably larger than the ghost mantids, so they might need different enclosures.
Enclosure:
Chinese mantids get around 4 inches long and ghost mantids get around 2 inches long, so try to get a vivarium with a height 3x their length and a width of 2x their length.
Microfauna:
I recommend using springtails because they will eat extra food bits and also eat mold. I couldn't find any starter cultures on Amazon, but if you have a local reptile shop, they probably sell springtails. You can also buy isopods because they also eat leftover carcasses (but they don't eat mold). Springtails are more important than isopods, but I put both isopods and springtails in my enclosures.
Substrate:
You can find some pretty good substrate recipes on Youtube. If you want to go budget, you can just coco coir with sphagnum moss. On top of the substrate layer, add leaf litter. These are just dried dead leaves that not only look natural, but they provide shelter for the microfauna. Nothing special about these leaves, you can just find them outside. Just make sure to rinse them off!
The coco coir I use:
Planting:
Planting is pretty simple as long as you know the difference between an epiphytic plant and a terrestrial plant. Epiphytes should be planted on a surface instead of the soil. To make sure the rhizomes don't dry out, tie sphagnum moss to the rhizome. Plant the terrestrial plants like you would do any normal one.
That's it, let me know if you have any questions. Just make sure to keep it humid (with spray bottle). Good luck 👍
I couldn’t find the exact one I got but it’s one like this I think mine was a little bigger though :)
I started owning ghost mantids in march of this year and this is what I figured out:
- Start with an L2-L3. MOST online sellers also have flightless fruit flies available for purchase. Many chain pet stores (in the USA) will have them for sale as well. Your smaller mantids can eat these for some time.
- Once they get bigger, there are bigger fly sizes. For my bigger mantids (L5ish), I moved them up to small dubia roaches. Again, these are common feeders in most pet stores.
- It depends. The fly cultures are very easy to make and have reproduce. I use left over plastic containers and Repashy Superfly Medium. Repashy is my biggest upfront cost. However, with that, I have been able to continue to make new cultures on a regular basis and save money that way. So, the initial cost is the first fly culture, the fly food medium, and finding spare plastic/glass jars. I'm not as well versed in dubia roaches. A count of 25 dubias is about $12 where I am. However, I use them between two mantids and a pacman frog, so they last me a while. :) I am planning to learn how to keep a colony soon.
I got it off of Amazon! Large Tall Plant Terrarium Glass - Glass Greenhouse Terrarium with Lid, 8.7"X5.9"X10.6" Inches Indoor Tabletop Orchid Succulent Cacti Terrarium Kit NA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088T9YTGP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_rfh7bGvz48jVU
I had a hygrometer and thermometer set up. I had humidity pretty much perfect the main problem I had was keeping a consistent temperature. I'd have to dig the enclosure I used out of my storage and check it out but I'm pretty sure this is it but if not this one is very similar https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Glass-Terrarium-18-Inch/dp/B000OQW98Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=exo+terra+terrarium&qid=1629873529&sprefix=exo+terra&sr=8-8
I use this
Highly recommend! Affordable, simple to use, and works really well
Thank you! I mist every two days-- this seems to be just enough for my ghosties and jumping spiders. I use Repitsoil Blend for substrate.
Here’s the link :) Insect Feeding Box, 12x12x20cm Acrylic Reptile Feeding Box Transparent Reptile Pet Breeding Case for Spide, Lizard, Scorpion, Centipede, Horned Frog, Beetle. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089YD9TND/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_JRDBWN07JYN46ATBBNXX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It's the one Richard from Tarantula Collective recommended.
I got the Godefa GC-14 set here
You have to get REAL CLOSE with the macro lens but it works great for mantids. Won't be using it on my old world tarantulas because I don't want to get that close :p
The bigger ones I made myself but the smaller ones I got off amazon, theres a bit of a selection here. They work well but i'm not a big fan of the top-opening ones as you often find the mantis hanging from it when you wanna open it!
Go on amazon and look for a wireless hygrometer/thermometer like this. I'm in the UK and bought this one for £9 which is similar in price to the shitty ones you buy in a pet shop.
It came with an app which measures humidity and temperature over time for as long as you want, and sends you notifications if either the temperature or humidity goes above or below a certain level. Literally could not recommend it more!
Yeah definitely! Hopefully this link works, I don't use reddit too often. The 4oz bag will honestly probably last a lifetime, just push some on your finger and touch the mantis' mouth
A lot of products on amazon seem sketchy but i've had a bag of this for a few months now and my mantises go crazy for it! I was going to post it on this sub once i was sure it wouldn't have side effects but i'm sure it's fine to share at this point. It's a human size portion so it'll probably last forever
These ExoTerra tall reptile habitats make great mantis vivaria, too. The one I linked is the Nano, but I use the Small; it's 18x18x24.
/u/organicfanatic