After a couple weeks of lurking I've decided to post and say hello. I just got started on mantids. It all started from a wild caught female (which I didn't know at the time). I was in my truck on a 15. Then I see this green thing run across the parking lot, stopping right at my feet. Then I saw it was a mantis and a big one at that. I didn't think much of it and went back to work. I come back out for my lunch and she's sitting on top of my hood. I thought that was strange behavior. So I took a couple pics and went back to work. Told some coworkers that thought it was weird too. So at the end of my shift I say if the mantis is still there I'll take it home. Low and behold it's right at my tires. So I capture her in a cup and take her home. The next day I go out and buy a small tank and some crickets. She devoured all 5 and then I got hooked.
I started reading everyday about what they need and the food etc. Come to find out how many cool species there are out there. My girlfriend is in to it too. So that makes it even worse. I show her a picture of an orchid and she loves it. So we ordered another from panterrapets.com and I bought a nano exo Terra tank. The day before she gets here I read that she can't be in that big of a tank yet. So I rush out before she gets delivered and made a Mason jar habitat. I had everything ready for her when she arrived healthy and full of life. I picked her up and sprayed some water on my hand. She actually drank from my hand.
So I continue my research and make sure I know everything required to keep them alive. I've kept all sorts of exotics that needed special requirements so nothing seems too out of the ordinary yet. She's a L3, but hasn't molted yet. That's what I'm really worried about. Till then I'll keep feeding and caring for her.
Fast forward a week. I was moving some stuff out of a friend's house I was storing some stuff at. So I get bored waiting for my friend with the truck and I found another tiny mantis. I thought it was a baby, but it was so late in the year. I take him home and put him in another large Mason jar and feed him. Two days later I realize it wasn't a baby, but a subadult male. I watched him molt and grow giant wings. That was very cool to see. Will probably breed them then most likely will release into my garden. Or offer some online. Haven't decided yet.
I'll finish this up with saying I never thought I'd be this into bugs, but it's fun and they're very interesting. This forum has been such a big help. I've read through almost every post lol. And feel confident I can keep them alive because of this place.
My name is Jesse and it's nice to be here.
Current mantids
Male/female stigmomantis limbata
Female orchid mantis
Male/female budwing on the way.
Ps I'm still getting use to the scientific names. Don't really understand why this hobby uses them. All other pets use the common name lol
Pps mantis place has been wonderful too. I just don't know how to care for the pupae I ordered or how to maximize their life. I read some things on her website, but didn't fully understand.
I started reading everyday about what they need and the food etc. Come to find out how many cool species there are out there. My girlfriend is in to it too. So that makes it even worse. I show her a picture of an orchid and she loves it. So we ordered another from panterrapets.com and I bought a nano exo Terra tank. The day before she gets here I read that she can't be in that big of a tank yet. So I rush out before she gets delivered and made a Mason jar habitat. I had everything ready for her when she arrived healthy and full of life. I picked her up and sprayed some water on my hand. She actually drank from my hand.
So I continue my research and make sure I know everything required to keep them alive. I've kept all sorts of exotics that needed special requirements so nothing seems too out of the ordinary yet. She's a L3, but hasn't molted yet. That's what I'm really worried about. Till then I'll keep feeding and caring for her.
Fast forward a week. I was moving some stuff out of a friend's house I was storing some stuff at. So I get bored waiting for my friend with the truck and I found another tiny mantis. I thought it was a baby, but it was so late in the year. I take him home and put him in another large Mason jar and feed him. Two days later I realize it wasn't a baby, but a subadult male. I watched him molt and grow giant wings. That was very cool to see. Will probably breed them then most likely will release into my garden. Or offer some online. Haven't decided yet.
I'll finish this up with saying I never thought I'd be this into bugs, but it's fun and they're very interesting. This forum has been such a big help. I've read through almost every post lol. And feel confident I can keep them alive because of this place.
My name is Jesse and it's nice to be here.
Current mantids
Male/female stigmomantis limbata
Female orchid mantis
Male/female budwing on the way.
Ps I'm still getting use to the scientific names. Don't really understand why this hobby uses them. All other pets use the common name lol
Pps mantis place has been wonderful too. I just don't know how to care for the pupae I ordered or how to maximize their life. I read some things on her website, but didn't fully understand.
