Aesthetically pleasing substare

[Shane95]

Anybody have any recommendations for an aesthetically pleasing substrate?

Paper towel is easy and effective, I'll definitely be using when I'm starting out but eventually I would like to move on to something a little more decorative.

I have seen orchid moss mentioned before, what other options are out there that are safe to use?

 

[Mantis Man13]

You could use potting earth.

 

[Aryia]

It really depends on what feeders you are going to use imo. A lot of feeders burrow, in which case it would be a bad idea to use anything that they could burrow in.

 

[Rick]

I prefer sphagnum moss. The kind I like to buy is very clean and sold as 'Orchid Moss.'

 

[soundspawn]

I like eco earth / plantation soil (coconut husk fiber). It holds moisture well and I can keep springtails in it for janitorial work. Mealworms will burrow though so if you use them you either need to hand feed or have a way to keep them on the surface... like a feeding dish

 

[Shane95]

Is there any negative effect of a mantis eating prey (for example a mealworm) that is covered in soil from burrowing?

I'm guessing not but I thought I'd ask just in case.

Would soil need to be replaced often?

 

[soundspawn]

Is there any negative effect of a mantis eating prey (for example a mealworm) that is covered in soil from burrowing?

I'm guessing not but I thought I'd ask just in case.

Would soil need to be replaced often?

If the soil is chemical free then it's no worse than grabbing a grub out of "clean" dirt in the wild (which is to say it's fine). If you stock the soil with springtails not only will it self clean but smaller mantids can grab them as a snack. My young carolinas fill up on springtails all day and won't eat their fly rations come feeding time. We do still swap out the soil, but so far the springtail infused stuff has always been fit for reuse; we just mix it around, make sure the moisture is right, and put in back in. The dryer climate species you can't do springtails so it needs replaced periodically but it's simple.

 

[Crazy4mantis]

I use sphagnum moss but only when the mantis is large enough to eat flying food that will not burrow.