Good evening, from New York

[justrokkit]

Hi, I'm Brian, and I live in Long Island, in the great Empire State! I've been on the forum for some weeks, but have shied from self-intro because I don't have my own mantis yet.

I have three criteria in descending order of interest/importance (1 to 10), if you wouldn't mind helping me narrow the species list:

-Larger than ~1.5 inches as an adult (8)

-Will not repeatedly try to fly for the ceiling or far wall if I handle it (5)

-Interesting appearance (2)

Also, how should I be considerate of my raptorial roommate when it comes down to sounds and lights?

Thanks in advance for your welcome and help!

 

[Paradoxica]

Welcome, I am partial to ghosts for all of those reasons!

 

[aNisip]

Welcome! Yeah for a beginner mantis, a ghost will fit the bill!

 

[justrokkit]

Thanks for your welcomes, again!

What are your thoughts on the Orchid?

 

[sueb4653]

welcome

 

[Webeviction]

Welcome from Oregon! I'm still very new here so I can't really suggest a good mantis but from all my reading up I would have to agree with others on the ghost I should be receiving a couple next week actually as for the orchid from what I understand there husbandry needs are a bit more strict and not recommended for beginners but all the same good luck in whatever you choose!!

 

[hopefoot]

Quick, go catch a Chinese before they're all gone. That's what I did. Sort of.

 

[fleurdejoo]

Welcome from Kentucky.

I think Rebecca is doing some for $5, a pop right now if look in the classifieds here.

I did ghosts but felt they were too small. I would go with something bigger.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Welcome, if you can find Budwings they are one of the easiest there are, they eat anything that moves and are as near to indestructible as a mantis gets.

 

[justrokkit]

Welcome from Kentucky.

I think Rebecca is doing some for $5, a pop right now if look in the classifieds here.

I did ghosts but felt they were too small. I would go with something bigger.

Thank you for that heads-up!

 

[hibiscusmile]

welcome!

 

[ismart]

Welcome!

 

[brancsikia339]

Welcome from LI! GO FOR THE GHOST!

 

[Rick]

Welcome

 

[justrokkit]

Thanks, everyone!

I asked this in my original post, too, but can you guys give me some insight on how mantids respond to lights and sound? For instance, should I do my best to keep a mantid on a natural light cycle? Also, how sensitive are mantids to sounds? I play electric guitar and drums, and I want to know if I should spare mantids from harsh, sudden, and/or loud sounds.

 

[lancaster1313]

I believe it is best for all creatures to have as natural a light cycle as possible. I just open my blinds in the daytime as I don't keep any species that need extra heat.

As far as loud and sudden sounds, I am not very familiar with mantids hearing abilities, but I have read that some species have an ear that is used to avoid being preyed upon by bats.

I am sure that they would notice the vibrations from loud music, but don't know if it would harm them or not. I would worry that sudden loud sounds could cause a mantis to be startled and possibly fall during ecdysis, but have no first hand experience of that happening.

Perhaps, someone else will know more about how loud music may affect them, if it does.

 

[Mvalenz]

I put all my mantids on a pair of speakers in my living room. Music from the speakers can get loud and I haven't seen any ill affects from it. They all seem like happy little mantids. And when I say on the speaker I mean directly on the fabric on the woofer.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[justrokkit]

Thanks Mvalenz! That's a great help.

And thank you to everyone else as well!

 

[stacy]

Welcome