Well, my first ever mantis arrived in the post today- thank you ever so much for all the advice! You guys are briliant
My new pet is an African mantis, and is a week or two old. I know it's better off getting one at about the 3rd instar, but I've been having loads of trouble trying to find one anyway, and it was very cheap (most places I've seen are charging a fortune!). Turns out though I've completely underestimated how small nymphs actually are. He's not even a centimetre in length. My nicely set up terrarium is way too big for him, so he's currently sitting in the coffee cup he was sent in.
Here's the major problem though- food. My local pet shop only has crickets that are three times his size, so in a minute I'm going to the next town to see what they have. I spoke on the phone and was told they do do small food, but if that's too big they can order something smaller in on Tuesday.
So if I can't get any food until Tuesday, will he be alright? He was sent with a few dead flies, so will those keep him going until then? Are there any special things I should consider when looking after a nymph?
Heh, I feel like a new parent, too worried I'll do something wrong!
My new pet is an African mantis, and is a week or two old. I know it's better off getting one at about the 3rd instar, but I've been having loads of trouble trying to find one anyway, and it was very cheap (most places I've seen are charging a fortune!). Turns out though I've completely underestimated how small nymphs actually are. He's not even a centimetre in length. My nicely set up terrarium is way too big for him, so he's currently sitting in the coffee cup he was sent in.
Here's the major problem though- food. My local pet shop only has crickets that are three times his size, so in a minute I'm going to the next town to see what they have. I spoke on the phone and was told they do do small food, but if that's too big they can order something smaller in on Tuesday.
So if I can't get any food until Tuesday, will he be alright? He was sent with a few dead flies, so will those keep him going until then? Are there any special things I should consider when looking after a nymph?
Heh, I feel like a new parent, too worried I'll do something wrong!