r/mantids • u/Killerkait • 7h ago
Image/Video My new mantis!
He's so cute! I got him on Tuesday, but I haven't picked a name out. Any suggestions?
r/mantids • u/sleepyheadsymphony • Jan 07 '20
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:
Nymphs
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)
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
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 • u/MikeNepoMC • Sep 28 '22
r/mantids • u/Killerkait • 7h ago
He's so cute! I got him on Tuesday, but I haven't picked a name out. Any suggestions?
r/mantids • u/Camper-creature • 4h ago
This is going to be my first dwarf mantis and I know they have to have very good ventilation. I have a full mesh lid and small mesh windows on either side but I'm still wondering if they need to be bigger. Any other advice?
r/mantids • u/aliceru • 1h ago
Hi everyone! 🤗
I have a wild-caught European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa). She is an adult female, and I caught her about two months ago. She is eating and behaving normally so far.
When I caught her, I already noticed a tiny spot in this area. It was barely visible, so I assumed it was just dirt that had gotten underneath the exoskeleton and didn’t think much of it. The spot stayed small and relatively light for quite a while.
However, about a week ago, I noticed that it was starting to grow. Over the past few days, it has become noticeably larger and darker, as you can see in the photo.
I’m really worried about her and would appreciate any advice.
Does anyone know what this spot could be?
Could it be an infection, an injury, or something else?
Is this something serious, and is there anything I can do to help her?
Has anyone experienced something similar with their mantis?
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!❤️
r/mantids • u/Necessary-Set6153 • 4h ago
i found this guy outside not doing so hot, i wanna try to help. i put him in a critter keeper with some dead leaves and sticks and sprayed it so there’s some humidity bc it’s been dry here. not sure what’s wrong!! i wanna give him the best chance
r/mantids • u/Oldfolksboogie • 3h ago
Found in the Mid-Atlantic. Mostly curious if it's native or not. I suspect not, coz they're never native. 😭 Was just finishing up a meal when encountered, photographed and continued on its way.
TIA!
r/mantids • u/Limp-Zebra9398 • 7h ago
So a few days ago my ghost mantis had suddenly become almost half an inch larger and has a weird shiny glint and Since ive had them since l2 i thought they molted but when i checked for shed skin there was nothing and a few minutes later i found him on a rubber screw at the top of the enclosure and it was completely ignoring me i didn't think anything of it at the time and spritz like usual but didnt feed because i again though he was in pre molt, though now its been a few days the shiny thint is gone but still no signs of any shed skin anywhere and they seem to have a postmolt appetite like two normal feeds with about a day of separation with hydei fruit flys and still paper thin?? Do ghost mantis eat there shed skin or something?? They didn't eat it last time? Picture of them with my hand next to the enclosure
r/mantids • u/dreadtrex • 20h ago
You were my first Mantis, and I love you dearly even though you're gone. I learned a lot keeping you, and you were the coolest creature I could ever ask for. I had you for 3 amazing months, and I never got tired of you. I hope you're at peace now.
I'm sorry I wasn't there when you passed. I know I will miss you for the rest of my life.
r/mantids • u/auserhasnoname7 • 12h ago
Is she gonna be alright im so freaking out idky she decided to be so close to the ground
r/mantids • u/Camper-creature • 5h ago
I'm getting a nymph enclosure set up for my jeweled flower mantis coming in the mail next week. I've already replaced the top with mesh but I think the cross ventilation needs more work. Would it be worth it to poke more holes or should I just go ahead and make some mesh windows in the sides as well?
r/mantids • u/Redrum874 • 1d ago
My best friend sent me this photo of a wild mantis on a box of kindling outside of his house in NH.
r/mantids • u/Few-Manufacturer6897 • 1d ago
Now that the heatwave has passed my rooms starting to get very cold and im worried the current heat mat im using isn't providing enough warmth to the enclosure however it wasnt very expensive anyway to begin with and is only reaching 20°c max which isnt ideal. Im based in the uk and wondered if anyone had any good recommendations. No budget as I am happy to spend as much as I need for her to be comfortable.
Her enclosure is on my desk so nothing super massive but I can adapt to work around her if needed.
Pic of her on her gaming pillow for fun
r/mantids • u/sewerratttt • 17h ago
they will be in the care of my mom and sibling. i wrote out everything i do for them and stuck it to the wall but im so stressed. has anyone had experience with leaving your bugs? how’d it go? do you have any advice?
r/mantids • u/ProudEmu6475 • 1d ago
What am i supposed to do? She took a tumble whilst she was in her terrarium and twisted the front of its arm 😕😕
r/mantids • u/Vivid_Breakfast_5593 • 1d ago
I have a (12 days since final moult) male and (4 weeks after final moult)female giant rainforest and I a have attempted to breed them but the male attacked the female. Any advice for this species?
r/mantids • u/WareringIsWater • 1d ago
Heyy guys, ive had this little guy.. or gal, idk for around two months, its about l4 or l5 and I still dont know its exact species. I live in the Philippines and It was green when i found it and now it turned into a light brown color.
r/mantids • u/EvidenceDelicious630 • 1d ago
I feel like our hierodula membranacea is quite happy with her enclosure. However the last time she molted, she was too close to the front glass wall and couldn't pull herself up (too little space and no grip). She ended up falling on the branch below. Luckily she survived with just a small scratch and returned to normal very quickly.
I'm now wondering how I can make sure this doesn't happen again. I would appreciate any advice!
The second pic is her molting right before falling down.
r/mantids • u/evrybdygetshigh • 1d ago
My sweet girl seems to be stuck by her forelimbs mid molt, she’s been like this for ~1hr. Should I just chill out and give her time? I already misted the sides of the enclosure. Her arms look mostly free, is she a good candidate for me carefully helping her get out?
r/mantids • u/Resident-Alone-1426 • 1d ago
I just wanted to share the successful molt of my mantis. I’m excited because it’s my first mantis orchid
r/mantids • u/Electrical-Ant-5139 • 1d ago
I’m not sure if my mantis has reached full adulthood but I want to check to see what the sex is. (Giant Asian mantis)
r/mantids • u/JTrain247 • 2d ago
Spiny flower mantis nymph is pacing around and “stretching” is this a pre molt? Normal behavior? Temp and humidity are OK the cover to the enclosure is just temporary, previously had a twine mesh but it looked like loose fibers were falling off and ordered a nylon mesh screen for the top instead.
r/mantids • u/Pretend_Coconut8005 • 1d ago
Snapped this picture earlier but this fella has been hanging by my door all day and the temps are dropping. Any ideas what it’s doing and if it will survive the cold weather over night?
Magnolia is an i5-ish giant asian mantis and her last molt was august 8th. Is this a cause for concern? Could this be caused by poor husbandry? She isn't my first mantis so I'd like to think I know what I'm doing, but maybe not.
r/mantids • u/dreadtrex • 1d ago
Alfonso was found on the bottom of his enclosure today. He hadn't been eating for a bit, but he seemed fine otherwise. His enclosure is at 76% humidity.
He's a Double Shield mantis, male. He's been an adult for about two months now. Is it just his time, or is he sick?
I know that there isn't a ton I can do at this point, but I'm terrified of losing my boy. If there is anything I can do to help him get better, it would be greatly appreciated.