Psytalla horrida Housing tips and care

[Aspiring Mr T]

Hi all,

I’ve read care tips but nothing that addresses the following.

Is it better to keep Psytalla horrida in a well ventilated enclosure (like a kritter keeper) or should I house them in a more enclosed space? I’ve heard it both ways.
Hey he also heard they like it humid and dry. But I’m more inclined to believe the former as I’ve read they’re from tropical forested areas?

I’ve seen a few available near me, and planning to buy, but not without good advice first specifically on housing. So anyone with a good colony going, your help will be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[ignithium]

Hi all,

I’ve read care tips but nothing that addresses the following.

Is it better to keep Psytalla horrida in a well ventilated enclosure (like a kritter keeper) or should I house them in a more enclosed space? I’ve heard it both ways.
Hey he also heard they like it humid and dry. But I’m more inclined to believe the former as I’ve read they’re from tropical forested areas?

I’ve seen a few available near me, and planning to buy, but not without good advice first specifically on housing. So anyone with a good colony going, your help will be appreciated.

Thank you!

Ventilated and dry is best. But they are very hardy and will tolerate a wide range of conditions

 

[Aspiring Mr T]

Ventilated and dry is best. But they are very hardy and will tolerate a wide range of conditions

Thank you. Is there a risk of nymphs escaping well ventilated enclosures? If I used a kritter keeper, would they be able to navigate through the top ventilation?

 

[ignithium]

Thank you. Is there a risk of nymphs escaping well ventilated enclosures? If I used a kritter keeper, would they be able to navigate through the top ventilation?

Hypothetically possible but I never had an escape. They don't really wander

 

[draconisj4]

I keep my nymphs dry with no substrate on egg crate. They are in an enclosure with the air holes high up to keep their prey from escaping. I toss in a bunch of roaches every couple of days and leave a small dishes of roach food and a bit of water crystals for the roaches that survive( most of them don't,lol). The ones in the picture were raised from eggs. They are currently L3 and 4, I also have some L1 and 2 nymphs in a separate smaller enclosure. The last molt before they become adults they will be moved to the adult enclosure which is set up more naturally with substrate and cork bark and a small water dish. The adults do drink from the dish on occasion.

I think they probably would be fine in a critter keeper, they really don't move around a lot unless they are going after prey and like to hang together.

 

[Aspiring Mr T]

I keep my nymphs dry with no substrate on egg crate. They are in an enclosure with the air holes high up to keep their prey from escaping. I toss in a bunch of roaches every couple of days and leave a small dishes of roach food and a bit of water crystals for the roaches that survive( most of them don't,lol). The ones in the picture were raised from eggs. They are currently L3 and 4, I also have some L1 and 2 nymphs in a separate smaller enclosure. The last molt before they become adults they will be moved to the adult enclosure which is set up more naturally with substrate and cork bark and a small water dish. The adults do drink from the dish on occasion.

I think they probably would be fine in a critter keeper, they really don't move around a lot unless they are going after prey and like to hang together.

View attachment 347347

Thank you and apologies for my late reply. That is very helpful information.

How often do they moult and how many instar stages do they have? I was hoping to receive a few adults to start a colony but I only received some tiny ones and what seems like medium ones. None are mature, so I am a little bummed about that.

Someone told me that as long as the substrate isn't odripping wet, I can keep them on slightly moist substrate and to toss in some springtails to clean up (as their feeding gets messy?).

 

[draconisj4]

Thank you and apologies for my late reply. That is very helpful information.

How often do they moult and how many instar stages do they have? I was hoping to receive a few adults to start a colony but I only received some tiny ones and what seems like medium ones. None are mature, so I am a little bummed about that.

Someone told me that as long as the substrate isn't odripping wet, I can keep them on slightly moist substrate and to toss in some springtails to clean up (as their feeding gets messy?).

Honestly I wasn't paying attention to how many times they molt, since the 25 I'm raising now were all hatched on different days I haven't been keeping track since there are so many. I know that some have molted 3 or 4 times and are still less than half the size of the adults. Maybe someone that actually pays attention can answer that,lol. They grow pretty quickly though. These are the first I've raised from eggs, the adults were bought at I believe 3rd instar ( I could be wrong) and there were 5 molts to adulthood with both batches. My 2 oldest adults matured in October 2018.

As far as husbandry goes I suppose you could do that, but I've always heard that the nymphs do better when kept dry as long as they have enough to eat to meet their moisture requirements. I find it easier just to dump out their leftovers every couple of days. The substrate in the adult cage is also kept dry with the exception of a small container of moist soil to lay eggs in and it is a bit of a pain to pick out their leftovers. I have to move their piles of cork bark while keeping an eye on where they are. They are fairly mellow but I don't want them mistaking my fingers for prey, lol. They are very visually oriented.

 

[ignithium]

Thank you and apologies for my late reply. That is very helpful information.

How often do they moult and how many instar stages do they have? I was hoping to receive a few adults to start a colony but I only received some tiny ones and what seems like medium ones. None are mature, so I am a little bummed about that.

Someone told me that as long as the substrate isn't odripping wet, I can keep them on slightly moist substrate and to toss in some springtails to clean up (as their feeding gets messy?).

With this species you can keep them wetter. It's not their ideal conditions, but they will survive and thrive nonetheless. I have kept them this way in the past.

 

[Aspiring Mr T]

With this species you can keep them wetter. It's not their ideal conditions, but they will survive and thrive nonetheless. I have kept them this way in the past.

Do p.horrida reject new individuals? Hey be been offered some adults and nymphs and wonder if I can introduce them to the same set up I have?

 

[ignithium]

Do p.horrida reject new individuals? Hey be been offered some adults and nymphs and wonder if I can introduce them to the same set up I have?

You can introduce them

 

[Aspiring Mr T]

You can introduce them

Thank you