Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[shelby]

hi saw a orchid mantis baby for sale today stunning creature
i was wondering what these were like to keep if their were some good care sheets i could read or would you say steer well clear if i haven't kept anything like this before i'm really tempted but like to do my homework before i rush in.so please tell me straight buy or avoid.

[shelby]

anyone

[Jwonni]

check out this thread i'd say you will be interested in it and someone askspretty much your same question

[shaz]

Not that hard to care for!
Basic mantis caresheet
Mantids eat living insects and do best on a varied diet.
Newly hatched mantids eat each other, the stronger wiping out the weaker. The surviving mantids do well on aphids, greenfly, whitefly, blackfly and small fruitflies.
Medium-sized mantids can eat insects larger than themselves. Suitable food includes: caterpillars, flies (such as houseflies, bluebottle flies, greenbottle flies and cluster- flies), moths, and sub-standard stick insects (ones that have lost legs) of certain species.
Adult mantids can eat insects larger than themselves, and like sub-standard adult Pink Winged stick insects and Thailand stick insects. They also like large flies, large caterpillars, large moths etc.

WATER A mantid does not drink a lot of water but does appreciate the leaves in the cage being misted every day or so. If thirsty, the mantid can drink from the water droplets on the leaves. Adult mantids drink regularly and adult females drink water when they are producing eggs.
HOUSING A mantid likes to catch live prey and so the cage must have sides with good climbing surfaces so the mantid can get a good grip. As the mantid gets larger, it needs more air and so should be transferred to a well-ventilated cage
HANDLING Take care when handling a mantid as it may move quickly and jump. Caution! Never hold a mantid to your eyes or wave your finger at it as the mantid may lash out. Different species of mantid have different behaviour.
TEMPERATURE Mantids do not need heated cages. They do well in a room that is comfortably warm in the day and cooler at night. Avoid putting the cage on a windowsill as the mantid may overheat in the summer and get too cold in the winter.

Would keep orchids at higher humidity about 75/80 Shout if you want anything else
_________________
Shaz
http://bugnation.co.uk
It's more than a forum

[shelby]

hi shaz i have recently joined bugnation and have made contact with rob byatt who is hopefully going to let me no when he has some available
or do you no someone closer who may have some.

[Ailurus]

i know that exotic-pets.co.uk sell them, cannot remember how much. They are £5 for postage
_________________
Tom

Snakes: :Pantherophis: :Coelognathus: :Lampropeltis: :Heterodon: :Antaresia:
Lizards: :Rhacodactylus: :Pogona: :Goniurosaurus:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Ailurus27

[Gongylus74]

[Peter Parrot]

Like wise. I would stick with Rob Byatt. He is the genuine article and in it for all the right reasons. Will give you all the advice and help that you need also.
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[Gongylus74]

[shelby]

thanks guys igot the impression from pm him that he was a good bloke so i'm going to hopefully get one from him when he has some i'd rather buy from a breeder than a shop any way.