need advise

[alex]

Hi
I'm new to mantids and I would like to get one. How big tank do I need and what to put in it?
Do you have pics of your mantid tanks?

 

[Alex S.]

Mantids are awesome insects that are simple to maintain in captivity. They do not need a large enclosure as they are ambush predators. A 5 gallon tank is good for even the giant species (up to 6"). A 1" layer of peat or potting soil works good for substrate and vertical pieces of cork bark, fake or real plants, or other pieces of wood that you can set verticaly in the enclosure are good for the mantis to climb on and hunt from. For water I usually mist the enclosure. Enjoy your mantis!

Alex S.

 

[spider]

If it were to be a smaller speceis like the Flower mantis/#9 mantid, I`d go with a 2 1/2 Gallon tank. Preferably glass to hold humidity.

 

[alex]

Does glass keep humidity better than plastic?

 

[spider]

I believe so.

 

[danread]

It doesn't matter whether it is glass, plastic or any other non porous material, as long as it is solid it will hold in the moisture. Plastic jars work just fine, i use the big plastic sweet jars i get form my local corner shop. Relatively high humidity is necessary for molts, but it is also essential that there is good air flow into the tank, so use a piece of screen or netting for the lid.

 

[thedreadedone]

mantis

i dont keep mantids in tanks/jars, i just have them living on my houseplants