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I'm thinking of expnding into the world on Mantis, could anyone tell me whats the best type/bigest and general upkeep tips. Already keep Scorps, and Terantula on its way. Merry Christmas.
Mantis question
- Thread starter Normski2020uk
- Start date
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- Oct 18, 2004
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The best species for beginners are: Sphodromantis spp. and Hierodula membranacea.
The largest species belongs to: Paratoxodera, Plistospilota, Gongylus, Macromantis and Heterochatea.
You will find some links here:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=570491&postcount=12
The largest species belongs to: Paratoxodera, Plistospilota, Gongylus, Macromantis and Heterochatea.
You will find some links here:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=570491&postcount=12
Mithrandir
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2005
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- 49
If you want a rather large species, indeed Hierodula sp or Sphodromantis sp are the best choice if you're a beginner (ok you already have other animals, but it's always a bit different). In my opinion Sphodromantis is most suitable as they are a little more hardier than Hierodula and need less moist environments to molt.
If you want a big species, S. viridis is probably what you want to get (and what is commonly available).
Other beginner mantids are Creoboter sp and Parasphendale sp. These are also very hardy but (certainly Creoboter) are smaller. Also Phyllocrania paradoxa is not so difficult if you just mist them enough...
I wouldn't begin with Paratoxodera, Plistospilota, Gongylus, Macromantis or Heterochatea, as they are more difficult to keep in my opninion... but certainly if you got the conditions right, it can be done. Plistospilota's are very nice mantids btw
In general mantids aren't that hard to keep I guess, the main problem is molting. If the humidity is right and they're no feeders disturbing (or eating :wall: ) them, it should be ok in most of the cases.
Just make up your mind about what species you wanna get and then it's easier to get more info, as all the species have different requirements.
If you want a big species, S. viridis is probably what you want to get (and what is commonly available).
Other beginner mantids are Creoboter sp and Parasphendale sp. These are also very hardy but (certainly Creoboter) are smaller. Also Phyllocrania paradoxa is not so difficult if you just mist them enough...
I wouldn't begin with Paratoxodera, Plistospilota, Gongylus, Macromantis or Heterochatea, as they are more difficult to keep in my opninion... but certainly if you got the conditions right, it can be done. Plistospilota's are very nice mantids btw
In general mantids aren't that hard to keep I guess, the main problem is molting. If the humidity is right and they're no feeders disturbing (or eating :wall: ) them, it should be ok in most of the cases.
Just make up your mind about what species you wanna get and then it's easier to get more info, as all the species have different requirements.