happy1892
Well-known member
Yes, a fair number of tropical species of mantises are actually rather cool temperature hardy. Some like the H. majuscula and Indonesian strain of Orchid mantis I have found to be cool temperature sensitive and needing to be kept warm otherwise they get digestion issues. But the larger strain of Orchid mantis that I had (mainland Asian strain?) was able to tolerate cool temps much better.So are these mantids able to survive extreme cold conditions, and do not require much heat when kept as pets? I.E no heat mat until certain VERY LOW temps? And does this mean they can survive from very low, to relatively high temps too? Or are these survivability factors only for the various species in the wild? I'd love to know which species that are shop bought, don't need to be religiously kept at higher temps for fear of them randomly dying
Which I am always worried about =/ as most shops say to keep most species at around mid 20s centigrade.
One would assume the ones raised in shops and captivity, require hotter conditions more often though, because they have been bred in warmer, more controlled conditions? Therefore the wild ones are hardier and used to colder temps? And shop bought ones may die if the temp drops substantially? like a heat mat failure during the winter for example.
Although some mantis sent via transport, do survive a couple of days in the box without heat packs, it seems.
I have some Rhombodera sp. from Indonesia that are doing okay at 50F and even below that right now in unheated house. And I have had other Hierodula nymphs at those low temps did okay. And Ghost mantises were okay at those lower temps, even down below 50F. But younger nymphs may be more sensitive to cool temps. Also after eating they may need to have a period of warm temperature to better digest food.
