Dividing a tank?

[snuhan]

Hello!! Been a while since I posted here.

I currently have two male sphodromantis lineola (one adult and one subadult). Since I was anticipating one to be a female, I have one large and one small enclosure on standby. However, since they’re both male, it seems a bit silly to have one huge tank swallowing one of them while the other gets a glorified critter keeper so I was thinking, I have a lot of cardboard and such on hand, so why not divvy up my large tank into two medium ones? I’m asking here since I want to be sure the proximity wouldn’t stress them out. I’m not all too knowledgeable abt pheromones and such. I’ve got at least a few days before the other male molts, so I’ve got time to prepare regardless.

 

[MantisGirl13]

How big is the tank? That should work, as long as the tank is big enough and the middle wall has a good seal. Males don't send out pheromones, so you don't have to worry about that.

- MantisGirl13

 

[snuhan]

its a 10g tank my hamster was in a while ago (he outgrew it pretty quick). I'm just realizing I don't have any silicone... I'm gonna assume elmer's won't cut it?  would a border of duct tape suffice for the bottom and sides, and would just keeping it flush with the lid work? I don't think mantids can squeeze through things like that, but...

 

[hysteresis]

@snuhan Dont use tape to divide.

Tape will come loose and your mantis can get stuck to it or trapped, and lose a tarsus, or worse. 

 

[Mystymantis]

Don't use tape on it. You can use hot glue to glue the divider. Are you planning on making the divider out of cardboard? I would suggest using something plastic because if you have it humid the cardboard might get moldy.

 

[MantisGirl13]

NO TAPE!!!! A ten gal should work fine. I would suggest a glue like hot glue, and lots of it! It doesn't have any fumes or chemicals that could harm a mantis, and it is not dissolved by water, so if you mist the cage it won't break down. 

- MantisGirl13

 

[snuhan]

geez louise!!! You're all right, I hadn't thought too hard when I mentioned tape! I am planning to make it out of cardboard; lineolas don't need to be super humid so I think I'll be alright. Maybe a tight layer of cellophane, sealed underneath with the glue? Hot glue sounds like a much better idea, I'll probably use that

OH and fast edit, I would use plastic but I don't have access to too many materials... I'm only even able to think about doing this since I happen to have a box on hand.