How much? How often?

[Synapze]

I know this has been asked in multiple posts, but as I try to browse the board to find previous answers I keep get routed back to page one of 85. Please pardon.

I've been reading a lot of conflicting information on how much and how often to feed mantids. I looked at a variety of care sheets for different species, but I prefer keeping Hierodula. Based on some early recommendations, I typically feed 1 to 2 bluebottle flies every other day and very rarely have a fly go uneaten. I also give an occasional mealworm for a little variety and as a treat... not very often.  A friend, as well as a couple of care sheets I have read, suggest that I am feeding WAY too much and too often. Many care sheets are a little vague as in "depends on size, sex, species". I don't want to overfeed because I don't want them to burn out too soon from too much feeding. SInce I am keeping mantids as pets vs. breeding, I'd like to stretch out their lifespan as much as possible and I have been told that feeding often and too much can substantially shorten lifespan. 

Any suggestions or basic general guidelines. I'm about to take in 10 carolinas and I just want to make sure I'm feeding appropriately.  I'm very interested in how others are managing.

Many thanks,

Steve A.

 

[River Dane]

There’s really no set amount of flies within a certain time. You can tell when a mantis is hungry because they start getting thin. If you want to feed your mantis as little as possible, you can feed them only once they start to get thin. Give them a fly or two, depends on how fat you want them.

If you plan on doing this, I would suggest keeping good track of molts. If your mantis is scheduled to molt soon, start plumping them up before they begin rejecting food so they don’t starve after molting.

Overall, it’s really about what works for you and your mantids.

Good luck!

 

[Synapze]

Thanks so much for the fast reply!

 

[River Dane]

No problem! Keep us updated on your little mantids!