I have two female Chinese Mantids & one male. The male is mating the first female right now. Assuming he survives the ordeal, how long should I have him rest before putting him with the second female? They are all 4-5 weeks after last molt.
How long to rest male between matings?
- Thread starter LaurieRoz
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JSaff86
Well-known member
i think i heard someone saying 2 days here before.
aNisip
Well-known member
A day is good, just give him plenty of water and food ( as much as he wants)
Thanks for the replies. I fed the female a cricket and a grasshopper while the mating was going on. The male just disconnect, and the female was not in the least bit interested in going after him! I put him in another cage and will wait 2 days before I mate him with the other female.
This Spring, I bought a few egg cases to put in my gardens, and my 6 year old begged me to let him raise a few of the nymphs. We wound up with the 2 females, but I happened on the male while out gardening - it was fate! Now, of course, I have to discourage him from bringing th "bug porn" photos in to show his classmates!
How long do praying mantises live in captivity? He's going to be sad when these die, but now we should have at least one egg case that I'm sure he'll want to save a few from!
This Spring, I bought a few egg cases to put in my gardens, and my 6 year old begged me to let him raise a few of the nymphs. We wound up with the 2 females, but I happened on the male while out gardening - it was fate! Now, of course, I have to discourage him from bringing th "bug porn" photos in to show his classmates!
How long do praying mantises live in captivity? He's going to be sad when these die, but now we should have at least one egg case that I'm sure he'll want to save a few from!
JSaff86
Well-known member
they live no longer then a year but i would have to guess on average tthey live 8 months. Theres different factors that can extend or shorten there lifespan. If there kept in warmer tempertures and fed alot in increases there matbolism and makes them grow faster but die quicker. your female should be fed as much as possible if she's pregnent so keep her fat :stuart:
Thanks for the info. They are kept at normal room temperature. Between moths/grasshoppers/beetles from the yard & crickets from the pet store, they are very well fed. The male mated both females & got away unharmed, so I think we'll let him go have fun before winter comes.
This has been such a great learning experience for the kids (and for the adults, too!)
This has been such a great learning experience for the kids (and for the adults, too!)
