is natural light necessary?

[charleyandbecky]

Hello everyone...I did a search and didn't really see the answer to this specific question.

This is the third year we have kept mantids. They are always Carolina mantids and we have kept them either in the dining room or kitchen. There is a good bit of natural light that comes in those windows but only for 2 or 3 hours a day. I am considering moving the mantid enclosures into my home office, where they are safer from a now very curious toddler. That room doesn't get much natural light, though, although the temperature throughout the house is pretty much the same. How important is the natural light? I can open the blind further but that will increase the temperature in the room.

Thank you,

Rebecca

 

[revmdn]

As far as I know they don't need natural light. As long as they get some form of day and night, it should be ok. Maybe a more informed member could shed some light on the subject. :lol:

 

[Rick]

No.

 

[PhilinYuma]

In mantis research labs, according to Prete's book, they use broad spectrum flourescents, but my mantids have been born, grown up and mated and produced fertile ooths largely under incandescent light.

Good news, though. The same book stresses the importance of photoperiod, and suggests 12 hrs as a rule of thumb, so if you start work in your office at 0900 and are still there at 2100, you have an excuse to stop work, "because the mantids need their sleep!"

 

[hibiscusmile]

Yes Phil I concure! Mine do not have natural light and they do ok, hopefully soon they will see light that is real, hope it does not blind them :lol:

 

[charleyandbecky]

In mantis research labs, according to Prete's book, they use broad spectrum flourescents, but my mantids have been born, grown up and mated and produced fertile ooths largely under incandescent light.Good news, though. The same book stresses the importance of photoperiod, and suggests 12 hrs as a rule of thumb, so if you start work in your office at 0900 and are still there at 2100, you have an excuse to stop work, "because the mantids need their sleep!"

Excellent plan...a reason to stop working!

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to move them to the other room tomorrow. My 2-year-old is WAY too interested in the enclosures right now.

Rebecca

 

[BrontoT]

I read in a book that if you have the mantid without light they die prematurely.

I know about some persons who's said than the light help to the colours of mantids.

But are only theorie. I have done never any experiment about it

 

[charleyandbecky]

I read in a book that if you have the mantid without light they die prematurely.I know about some persons who's said than the light help to the colours of mantids.

But are only theorie. I have done never any experiment about it

Well, I moved them into the home office over the weekend. The room actually gets more natural light than I thought, almost as much as the kitchen. They are on my desk right now, watching me work. I like being able to keep a better eye on them and watch what they are doing. I raised the blinds on the other side of the room all the way up and it seems to have provided a good amount of light. Plus, the mantids are now safer from my 2 year old

Rebecca