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.
is my majangella moultoni even a majangella moultoni? there’s not even a little bit green on him, he’s red purple and yellow!!
he’s L6
i can’t find anything online. anyone has an idea?
thank you?
Hello all, I live in Oregon USA. This mantis has been chilling around our door for the past few days, and I’m worried it’s not doing well. Is there anything I can do to help it survive, or is it doing ok? It’s late summer/early fall here so I’m not sure if it’s just its time or what… let me know :)
hi friends i found this pretty mantis outside, its a Mediterranean mantis and seems to have a misshapen abdomen and missing one of its forewings(?) its pretty wings stick out. she ate a cricket yesterday, i offered a dubia roach today but she hasnt taken it. the dark eyes in the photo are because i had the light off, they adjust normally and have no black spots. is it a bacterial infection and is there anything i can do to help her? ive also made her a much cuter and larger house in a candle lantern to put her in after she eats.
She fell during molting while I was away from home. I came home and was saying hi to all my animals to realize she wasn't hanging from her usual spot, when I saw her she was curled up on her floor. Her back was starting to pop where she was beginning to molt but I was too late. I had some tough times with her because she was stubborn but I still loved her dearly. RIP Spork, I love you.
It’s the first time my boy has tried to scare me! Is this normal behavior?
Usually, when he doesn’t want to be on my hand, he just walks away. But this time he was genuinely scared of my hand, and then he started digging like… wtf, you’re not a worm bro ???
After waiting for a bit, though, he came back to the glass and started trying to get my attention, and eventually accepted my hand again :/
I honestly don’t know what to think about this (at least I got a beautiful shot of him looking like a scary big boy 👹)
Also it’s been weeks he’s not eating that much…Also, he hasn’t been eating much lately. He’s not hunting at all and will only eat mealworms from my hand, but ONLY if I squeeze the mealworm first to make it extra juice.
Someone please tell me what is going on with him 😭
Alright, I’m gonna pin an insect for the first time in my life. My technical knowledge comes solely from Google, which told me to clean out the inside of the mantis' abdomen. I’ve decided to keep it in the freezer until I gather a bit more information, but when I take it out, should I clean the abdomen before rehydrating it or after?
Also, is there anything else you think I should know?
Sorry for blurry pictures :)) this is about to be a long story I’m so sorry. So a couple days ago after a bad storm I went outside and this little dude was on the chair on our back patio. I moved him back into some trees to try and keep him maybe a little safer. Fast forward to tonight (sept. 3rd) THEYRE BACK ON THE SAME CHAIR!! and this time he literally walked up to my fiance and asked for uppies… idk if this mantis chose us or what!
I guess I’m actually wondering is it viable to keep it if he keeps showing up? We live in North Carolina so my only guess is it’s a Carolina mantis?
What size enclosure, substrates, safe climbing material and diet?
I know they need a mesh top for molting purposes but other than that I’ve done “some” research but there’s so much misinformation all over I guess I wanted a more broad range of answers and recommendations. If we can’t keep him in domestic since they are wild then it’s whatever I guess I’ll just hope to keep seeing them lol.
I just saw a square shield mantis for sale and I was curious about the little guy but haven't been able to find any care info for this specific species, does anyone have experience caring for them?
I haven't bought said mantis but I have been looking to get a shield mantis and just wanted to see which species is best for me, so if anyone knows what size they grow to or what conditions they need would really appreciate it :)