I'm in Love

[BigDazz]

I received my lineola a few days ago and it was love at first sight... When I first put her in she crawled on a few of the plants then made her way to the front part of the glass where we starred at each other for a few brief minutes before I threw the first 2 flies in... She starred at me until she noticed or heard the flies on the back glass and she quickly ran and made her way to one of the branches where the action was... I swear the way she ran off it looked like one of those Tomb Raider video games when u see the bugs scurrying lol... It didn't take her long to adjust and get a hold of her first victim... In total time it took her to be placed in the encloser and have her first meal couldn't have been no longer than 10 minutes tops lol... Amazing!!!

Here is she is after her very first meal... Her name is Triple OG!!!

 

[MantisRCool]

Cute story and cute mantis   lineolas are such a nice enjoyable species! They were my first and I always reccommend them to any beginner  hope u have a lot of fun times with your baby (well with these it's guaranteed!)

 

[ashleenicole]

Congrats on your first! I'm sure he/she will bring you lots of enjoyment. 

 

[BigDazz]

Thanks @MantisRCool @ashleenicole I have a feeling she will... any advice/input you have for me will be greatly appreciated!

 

[MantisRCool]

There is almost no chance to go wrong with these, they eat anything, molt perfectly, just dont bother them at least 24 hours after molt they will be fine  and enough space under them  

 

[CosbyArt]

Sounds great, glad she is doing well, and you are enjoying her.

In time once she understands your feeding habits (how you approach, open the container, and put in the prey) she will likely get them even faster. I had some that would know it was feeding time by the fly bottle tube, and would come over and wait at the end to catch them two at a time as they escaped.

The only tip I can suggest at the moment is getting a sprayer for your mantis, a cheap $1 new spray bottle will work (or for fine mist get a 1 gallon pump up sprayer, it's what I use and is great for multiple pets).

Also guessing by the dried water deposit spot on the tank in the photo you are using tap water and have hard water (as most of us do), in which case get a gallon of spring water (which is just triple filtered/osmosis water) at the store usually $0.70-$1 and should last a couple months. That will keep your tank cleaner (great for photos too), and will make your plants healthier.

 

[Coyote]

you should mist her tank, i also have a lineola and it's my first mantis they are amazing. you will be really amazed by the molting when she does it. I spent nearly 1 hour watching her molting.

 

[BigDazz]

Thanks everyone... @CosbyArt yea those spots were on the outside of the tank lol... I did pick up a jug of distilled water for her misting.

@Coyote I think I read somewhere misting at least twice a week correct??

 

[CosbyArt]

Thanks everyone... @CosbyArt yea those spots were on the outside of the tank lol... I did pick up a jug of distilled water for her misting.

@Coyote I think I read somewhere misting at least twice a week correct??

Ah Nice to hear you are set for watering though.

For most homes misting every other day is best; although, in winter when the air is dried from the heat, daily misting is usually required as the RH% (room humidity) can drop to 15-25%.

 

[LazarusMantid]

Ah your first mantis! I too still have my first two girls! Mantids are great pets! Generally low matienence, fun to watch and hold, and dare I say at times perhaps mistaken for downright friendly! Glad to see she's getting along so well! Don't forget to get some raw honey and Flower Power!

 

[Coyote]

It depends on humidity, I personnally mist it a little bit every morning. Then sometimes (~three times a week) i mist her a lot in the evening. In the nature they don't know when it's gonna rain so you can do it a bit like you want.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Careful, falling in love with a mantis is a dangerous proposition.

 

[BigDazz]

@CosbyArt Ok wiil do!

@LazarusMantid Yes I saw the honey sticks will definitely pick those up!

@Coyote Ok.

@Krissim Klaw I think it might be too late lol