Terrena Laxamentum
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2017
- Messages
- 187
Is it possible to keep these animals alive long term in captivity?
That depends on your views. If its a monetary thing many people buy mantids that do not have a long lifespan (though longer than these apparently) and they feel its worth it. I look at something like an orchid mantis and what they sell for as nymphs and if I knew I could get a female that would live its natural lifespan I may consider it worth it but it pushing it.So, not worth to get?
I've found some of Punzo's claims to be untrue after experimenting with various genera, at least when it comes to those in my region. All you really have to do is give them enough stable sub to burrow, and make sure the bottom few inches of the enclosure are taped so light wont penetrate, otherwise it thinks it has to dig deeper and will collapse the sub from excessive excavating. after your solifuge has made its burrow, you then keep the photoperiod long, and the dark period short.After reading this thread I'm seriously tempted to get one... There's actually plenty of information about keeping them alive, like in this thread. If it is true that they run themselves to death a highly structured enclosure with plenty of different hiding spots and proper substrate should be the key, and additionally much cooler temps than most 'care sheets' recommend. Honestly, I have no clue, but I'd love to experiment with that.
Now, where do I get a Solifugid ?
Well, Galeodes is the only Solifigid you seem to be able to get in Europe. Some people who observed them in the wild said they don't really burrow but live among stones and in cracks. Actually I don't think I'll be able to find one for sale and that's probably not that bad since they seem to be taken from the wild to die in captivity by the dozens.I've found some of Punzo's claims to be untrue after experimenting with various genera, at least when it comes to those in my region. All you really have to do is give them enough stable sub to burrow, and make sure the bottom few inches of the enclosure are taped so light wont penetrate, otherwise it thinks it has to dig deeper and will collapse the sub from excessive excavating. after your solifuge has made its burrow, you then keep the photoperiod long, and the dark period short.
this can be easy for small species, but massive kinds like Eremocosta and Galeodes get so huge that they need up to 3 feet of substrate or else they'll collapse it.
other tips:
Make sure you use a stout enclosure without flexing sides, as this will cause substrate collapse. ALSO! add a pile of fine sand somewhere in there. solifugae groom with it!