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We usually only operate in 2.5d since it is easier to work with vectors instead of 3d models. I will often design in sketchup just to visualize the product, then I use Vcarve (a 2.5d CNC software suite) to make the final design. The nice thing is Vcarve easily exports to the laser or CNC so we...

We have a small (20"x30") CNC and a Glowforge laser cutter. We made these enclosures using the laser. Acrylic cuts so nice with a laser. We use it to make lots of accessories. I dm'd you the link to her store if interested.

She makes mostly cage liners and beds, but also does some chew toys and things for the owners like guinea pig calendars and keychains. People are always surprised about the size of our cage since it is a CNC cage, 5x2 grids with a 2x2 loft. I swear they eat better than we do. I preferred rats...

Our household spends lots of time on the guinea pigs. My wife actually runs a business part time making guinea pig supplies. They aren't my favorite, but she sure loves them. Yeah. Our ghosts are in more typical non-bioactive setups with just a little sphagnum moss at the bottom and fake plants...

Yeah, to me symmetry was most important. I didn't want to give the L4 ghosts the same enclosure as the sub adult giant rainforest. So I compromised with two sizes and set them up to be symmetrical in appearance. Now that we have added the shrimp tank, things are off balance. While I really like...

We have had this problem with our peacock mantis "Courage". Through trail and error we have found a few tricks that have helped him eat more frequently. 1. Bug guts like everyone mentioned. The hard thing for us is getting him to recognize it as food and not a threat. Once he goes into a...

Thank you! These move pretty well. Honestly my major concern would be for the mantis since they are the most picky thing in the entire setup. You basically forget all about the plants and cleanup crew as long as you are misting and have decent lighting. A small update. Carl ate every last one...

I received the Orin Isopod book and the Orin "Aliens" Mantis book. I was surprised by the pamphlet format and expected them to be longer typical paperbacks, but the information is solid. I also received new lighting for the mantises and associated creatures. A 4' Finnex aquarium LED light will...

Looks cool! I was always terrible at foreign languages. They never clicked in my head. Now my job requires technical English writing so my foreign language learning has slipped even further. A friendly correction as part of your language learning: A "pastime" is something you enjoy doing...

Look into acrylic as well as glass. For small enclosures I much prefer dealing with acrylic. It is more durable, significantly lighter, and can be cut using a laser very easily to give more complex designs. It can also be glued using acryclic cement/weld which makes a great clear seam. Downside...

Yeah, I imagine that is true. For our planted vivariums we only ever leave 3 types of animals in there (besides the mantis). 1. Springtails. Help keep mold down and makes cleaning minimal. 2. Isopods. Also help clean up the mantis waste. If you have a large colony, they work as supplemental...

Ours will hardly ever move or hunt, but then when you have frightened him, he leaps off randomly.

We named ours Courage because he is actually such a coward. What is your's personality like?

Thanks. I have not yet seen a threat display from him, but even the folded wings look great to me. He is such a slim guy compared to our h majuscula.

I think that's a cool plan, still gives the positive surprise without the possible negative surprise.

He lost his leg two molts ago. His first molt he developed a little leg, less than half normal length. This molt it grew a bit more, to over half the normal length, but still not usable. Here he is. Short video: https://i.imgur.com/Et5eIZol.mp4

Yes! Will post when I get some decent ones.

I think it is a clever idea but any time animal care is involved I get a bit worried. Someone may not know the care requirements of the random mantis they receive and may not have an appropriate enclosure. I would be more behind the idea if it were limited to a handful of beginner species with...

We see them change color during a molt but also the color gets lighter or darker between molts. Nothing like changing from brown to green, but varying shades of the same color.

If its like most inverts, color is one part genetics and one part environment. Isopods and freshwater shrimp are a good example. They can be selectively bred to display different or better coloration. But you can make the color better or worse through environment. Freshwater shrimp are probably...