Humidity levels/spraying enclosure with water questions

[Dana]

I've got a Carolina mantis.  I've got her in a cup that has ventilation on both sides as well as the top.  She's currently living on my screened-in porch because she's used to this weather, and that seemed to make the most sense to me.

I'm wondering about humidity levels for her.  She's outside in the humidity (in the well-ventilated cup), so how often should I spray the inside of her cup?  and how much?  I think she may be getting ready to molt soon (I haven't witnessed one yet as we just got her last Friday, so this is all new to me) because I noticed the underside of her abdomen looks like it's getting sort of whitish, and a friend of mine mentioned that can sometimes be a sign of molting being near.  (clear it up for me if that's not the case?)  I want to be sure I have enough humidity in there for her to have a successful molt.  I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing, to be honest, because I really don't want anything bad to happen to her (normal, right?).  

Attached are a few photos.  Her current cup has some fake flowers attached to the lid and sort of a leaf thing in the cup so she has stuff to climb on.  Second photo is just because she's cute.  3rd photo is for you to double and triple confirm for me that she's a girl.  I can't handle changing her name again.  lol

 

[Sarah K]

I would say if she is already living on the screen porch, you should only need to give her a light mist once a day so she can drink. The humidity levels should be alright otherwise.

 

[CosbyArt]

@Dana Indeed living on a screened porch, and a well ventilated habitat, she should be great humidity wise. I would still mist every other day to offer her drops to drink; otherwise, she is likely happier than most captive mantids.

With Carolina mantids molting the only issue I've really ever had is to make sure she doesn't molt too close to the container bottom where she will become stuck. Some will if they have fake flowers or perches angled near the bottom to use. While decorations look good, they can cause mismolts as mantids do not have any room to pull free while molting. I find using vertical stick perches (straight up and down) prevent mismolts, and use flowers only near the lid. With adult habitats though it isn't a concern as they no longer molt.

 

[Dana]

Thank you both so much for your help!  I saw somewhere where someone glued flowers to the lid and claimed it helped avoid mismolts. Not really fully understanding the benefits to that, that's what I did. And there's essentially a vertical stick in there as well, so hopefully she'll be okay. I've started spraying her enclosure but haven't seen her drink yet, which I look forward to eventually witnessing. 

 

[CosbyArt]

Thank you both so much for your help!  I saw somewhere where someone glued flowers to the lid and claimed it helped avoid mismolts. Not really fully understanding the benefits to that, that's what I did. And there's essentially a vertical stick in there as well, so hopefully she'll be okay. I've started spraying her enclosure but haven't seen her drink yet, which I look forward to eventually witnessing. 

The claim the fake flower helps avoid mismolts is true in that instance.

If glued to the lid leaving plenty of space between it and the bottom/substrate of the habitat, the flower/decorations will not lead to mismolts itself. It will also help prevent them, as the mantid can secure itself better to the flower (more material and finer to grasp) than the lid mesh, and prevent the mantid from coming loose or falling during the molt.

All the talk of space/room in molts can be explained by molt process itself. The mantid will securely latch it's walking legs to horizontal surface to molt. Then wiggle it's thorax out of the old exoskeleton, followed by it's head and raptor arms. Most will then pull their abdomen and walking legs partially out as well, and will sit awhile to dry out (as the new exoskeleton is wet and extremely soft (like warm taffy)). Once they have dried a bit to harden some (usually 10 minutes to an hour) they will finish pulling themselves free of the old exoskeleton and use it to climb up. They will finish drying and hardening once completely freed (which takes up to 24 hours and should not be touched, fed, or moved during the molt or drying process). Or just watch the process to see it in action here.

During the molting process the mantid will take twice the space as normal, and a bit longer when stretching out it's raptor arms. So if the mantid is 3" from head to abdomen end then it will occupy 6" minimum during the molt, and to prevent it from touching the bottom 9" would be recommended (as if it touches anything during the molting phase it can severely deform the nymph leading to health issues or death).

To avoid mismolts it is recommended to keep the nymph in container that is at least large enough for the next molting phase, I aim for at least two future molts to avoid a problem (and the smaller container allows the mantid to catch it's feeders easier). For example if the nymph is 3" from the tip of the head to the end of the abdomen, the container should be three times taller, which is 9". The container should also be at least two times wider at 6".

Although to ensure no molting issues occur due to container size, or having to move the mantid later on (some really hate moving day) start with the final container size from the beginning. For a Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) they top out at about 3.5" in size, so you would want a container that is 10.5" tall inside (between flower bottoms and substrate material top) and 7" wide. I find the Dollar Tree StayFresh brand blue lid storage containers (13.56 cups, 108.5oz - see here) are about perfect for Carolina's once the lid is altered for mesh and a feeding hole is added.

If you want to witness her drinking water (can be rather uncommon as they get most of their water from eating prey) put a drop on your hand while holding her. Most will drink it as soon as spotted, the guess here is the salt from human skin.

 

[Dana]

I can't even express how grateful I am for all this information!!  I have come up with my own guesses as to why we have certain guidelines for size of the enclosure and everything, but I didn't fully understand the process, which now you've completely explained and I can visualize it and understand the "why" behind all the recommendations. This is so cool. I would also totally love her to drink from me. I'm going to try that soon. I'll keep you posted on how she does!! I'm so hoping she ends up molting successfully so I can witness it and enjoy her more. 

 

[CosbyArt]

@Dana Your welcome and glad it was useful, I saw the length of the post and began to wonder if I was just being over talkative about my "bugs" again as my wife says.

Sounds good, and best of luck. Let me know if you are successful.

 

[Dana]

@Dana Your welcome and glad it was useful, I saw the length of the post and began to wonder if I was just being over talkative about my "bugs" again as my wife says.

Sounds good, and best of luck. Let me know if you are successful.

@CosbyArt - I'm totally a mess with my bug identifying hobby now, so I love more information than the average, most likely. You'll never believe (but you will, but I almost couldn't believe it!) what I just woke up to! I brought her in last night because it was kind of windy outside and also the kids were moving around the table a lot that I had her cup on, and I decided to place her in an area where she could be undisturbed. Good choice. She molted!!!  Yay!  I feel like a proud parent! Terrible pictures, but her skin is on the ground and that's her on the top of the enclosure (of course!). I am so happy it worked out. 

Now to think of how to preserve her skin. I'd be shocked if you didn't have any suggestions. ?. I'm all ears if you do have ideas for me. This would be such a cool talking point with kids (shoot, and adults for that matter). 

I'll leave her alone today per the information you shared, and tomorrow I'll try to give her a really good meal. 

Yay!!

(Please forgive the school supply list under her...Lol. I didn't even want to pull that out lest I jostle her)

 

[Zeppy44]

@Dana Glad you asked the question. I learn a lot from others questions.

@CosbyArt So glad you are back with your eloquent answers full of information.

 

[CosbyArt]

@Dana Great, glad to hear you picked-up on her molting signal and got her moved, and I can see her shed. Speaking of her, which your 3rd photo shows clearly female from the segments and the final large segment, what is her name? I can't seem to find it.

Well her exuviae (shed exoskeleton) can be displayed in a few methods - yeah I spend too much time with my pets lol. For persevering the exuviae though nothing needs to be done besides keeping it dry, out of sunlight, and free from pests that could eat it. For best results set the exuviae into the desired position before it has a chance to full dry out, as it will just crumble if re-positioned afterwards.

Anyway one of the better presentations I've seen was from MantidBro. He places the exuviae in a scrapbook and it's pressed like a flower. Where he puts the instar level, molt date, etc below it. The photo I seen had exuviae arranged in order to the final one, and looked great. I'm not sure if the post was on the forum or a PM, and besides the photo likely is not showing up anyway due to the recent photo host problem.

It could be taken one step further with a mantid "memories" book with the mantids name done on top of the single page, the first molt area being the date it hatched if known, followed by the exuviae and details, and at the end the date it died - and styled in scrapbook fashion with design elements and included photos of the pet through out.

It's always one of the things I want to do but I never have enough time to do all my projects. I do keep their exuviae placed into plastic lidded containers though, but never have gotten around to making a display. I now have maybe 100 exuviae saved so I've been thinking of some sort of display with them all at once (someday).

@CosbyArt So glad you are back with your eloquent answers full of information.

Thanks, glad to be back.