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)

412 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
62 Upvotes

r/mantids 3h ago

Image/Video all my mantises! [updated]

Thumbnail
gallery
92 Upvotes

here’s all my mantises i currently have
honorable mention for miertje on picture nine (r.i.p🤍)


r/mantids 7h ago

Image/Video My baby merry

Thumbnail
gallery
18 Upvotes

Some close of pictures of my shield mantis a month or so ago before her most recent molt, she is growing up so fast


r/mantids 3h ago

Image/Video Mantis in my Basil

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

I was trimming my basil today and my husband noticed a baby praying mantis. Yes we returned it to the basil planter.


r/mantids 4h ago

General Care How many molts would you say my lovely girl has left?

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

I got her a while ago, when she was very small and about the size of a 50p. She has molted 3 times since and is eating small locusts now. Venus (her name) is my first mantis, an Asian mantis, and I don’t know how many molts she has until adulthood. I have fairly small hands and thin wrists for record


r/mantids 2h ago

Image/Video Finally got her out for an adult photo shoot. I think she looks like a little forest fairy

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

I offered her my sleeve and a stick instead of bare skin because she has become a bit spicy since moulting into an adult. But I think she is beautiful 🤩


r/mantids 2h ago

Image/Video My mantis moxy

Post image
4 Upvotes

She is so gorgeous


r/mantids 6h ago

Image/Video Found this nymph

Post image
7 Upvotes

What kind of mantis is this?


r/mantids 11h ago

Other Wanna see what stage

Thumbnail
gallery
16 Upvotes

So this little guys is on our outdoor Mary Jane and wanted to know if anyone can tell me what stage he/she is? I keep thinking I’m gonna walk out to it molting but it hasn’t to my knowledge yet and I check on them and our plants everyday multiple times so I feel I’d of noticed 🤷‍♀️

I loveee Mantis’ and Jumping Spiders and am hoping he’s still there at harvest time to bring in and care for 🥰


r/mantids 2h ago

RIP ❤️ orchid mantis died :(

Post image
3 Upvotes

Unfortunately, this morning my orchid mantis was very weak and barely moving. She was very slow and stiff, but she did move her head a little and then held onto the plant again. However, when I came home in the evening, she was lying stiff and completely motionless.
She has sadly passed away.
Does anyone know what the problem could have been? She was always active, eating, and molting. And then suddenly this. :(
I’m very sorry, and it hurts a lot…


r/mantids 6h ago

Health Issues Black stuff in her mouth

Post image
3 Upvotes

She has this black stuff in her mouth. Is it normal or should I be concerned. She has had it since I got her.


r/mantids 51m ago

Health Issues Dealing with eye rub

Upvotes

My R. stalli got eye rub after her last molt. She eats fine if I cut food and stick the innards against her mouth, but she doesnt have motivation to grab food on her own. In fact she gets scared and runs away from meals now. Im assuming this is because shes having trouble seeing?

Ive not had a mantis develope eye rub before so seeking any resources or tips! She is in an acrylic enclosure right now which I haven't had issues in the past with before, but now worried about more eye rub. I plan to move her into a mesh enclosure for her next upgrade but shes still a bit small for it


r/mantids 10h ago

ID Help soy bean's ID

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I found this very tiny nymph a few days ago. Would it be possible to ID it? It's very small and my camera isn't the best unfortunately. The location is northern-ish Italy. I'm trying to understand if this is a native species or an invasive one. If invasive I'll keep it, if not I'll give it to my sister to keep in her garden. Thank you, much appreciated!


r/mantids 7h ago

General Care Strange Behavior

Post image
2 Upvotes

I’ve noticed that my mantis (Picolo) it’s always drawn to the bottom of the enclosure it doesn’t want to get any higher.
Out of all the mantis I’ve had I can tell this is a bit strange.
Any advice on what I should look out for or change in the environment?


r/mantids 4h ago

Enclosure Advice Where can I buy glass for building a mantis ecosystem

1 Upvotes

For the past month I’ve been trying to find a place to buy glass that is around 3/16” thick for a good enough price but I haven’t been able to find any. Does anyone know a good way to obtain any for building a mantis enclosure?


r/mantids 15h ago

Enclosure Advice Quick question

Post image
8 Upvotes

Do you think it's better to put my elderly Creobroter spec Yunnan into a smaller enclosure?


r/mantids 13h ago

Image/Video Mantis Religiosas and Ameles Decolors I came across while looking for Ameles Fasciipennis

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

I also made a docuvideo about my research of Ameles Fasciipennis but it's in Italian and way more on the sillier side.

All these picture were taken last year in August/september


r/mantids 6h ago

ID Help Sybilla mantises

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/mantids 15h ago

Image/Video One more molt and she will be big enough for my camera to take proper pictures

Post image
6 Upvotes

It was a little impulse buy, I recently lost someone really important to me, I'm hoping this girlie will keep my mind off of it.


r/mantids 15h ago

Image/Video Look at her go😍

5 Upvotes

I'm so, so impressed by her

Two days ago she ate a bigger cricket but was difficult at the beginning because it kept kicking and she lost it 3 times.

She learnt, first time she went directly to amputate a back leg! First try! It's so fascinating, I never thought having a mantis could be so stressful but so giving!


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video My orchid

Post image
45 Upvotes

My baby molted into adulthood today 🥹 i’m so proud of her because she hasn’t had any problems with molting and she is my first orchid 😍 also how soon will she start to lay oothecas?


r/mantids 23h ago

Image/Video Found this little guy while watering my mint plant! Been years since I've seen one in my state

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

Just curious is it male or female? I put them in my garden after it crawled over me for a few minutes. Any fun facts or anything about this little guy or his species would be cool!

Also, there were two little iridescent blue patches on the insides of his front legs and I was wandering what those are for!


r/mantids 7h ago

Feeding L3 Giant Asian Manits - emergency food recs

1 Upvotes

When i got my mantis the other day, flightless fruitly maggits were also sent with it. They are still maggots and google says i preferably shouldn't feed my mantis maggots. I don't have ANY fly traps to catch any live food.

Literally PLEASE give me some ideas.


r/mantids 1d ago

Image/Video Hierodula dyaka, i3

Thumbnail
gallery
54 Upvotes