New to Mantids!

[zjuckett]

Hello! I'm new!

I recently aquired a 12x12x12 exo terra and was told that it'd be the perfect place for a mantid. I'd never thought about that so I decided to become a member and ask your opinion! I love the look of an Orchid Mantis, but I don't want to get something expensive just to have it die due to lack of knowledge. Are there good starter mantids?

 

[hutch2828]

hatching a chinese mantis ooth is pretty easy and a good way to start. it hatches a couple hundred little guys and you can choose how many to keep

 

[mkayum]

I recommend ghost mantids!

they're great for beginners & cool looking mantid!

 

[zjuckett]

I'd rather not hatch so many because I don't know what I'd do with them. I only have two chameleons and I don't want them all to just DIE. That seems a bit mean. How easy are they to care for?

 

[hibiscusmile]

welcome, not hard to care for, misting twice a day for new hatches, once a day, for 2nd instar and feed daily, lots of good info here. Dont be afraid to get your feet wet!

 

[agent A]

i recommend any of the following species

creobroter spp

popa spurca

oxyopsis gracilis

hierodula multispina

sphodromantis spp

low mortality, hardy, prolific, interesting species

 

[maybon]

i recommend any of the following species

creobroter spp

popa spurca

oxyopsis gracilis

hierodula multispina

sphodromantis spp

low mortality, hardy, prolific, interesting species

+1 and add a budwing to the list. http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Parasphendale%20agrionin%20-%20African%20budwing%20mantis

They can tollerate a wide range of humidity and temperatures + they have a cool threat display.

Here is some info on the species Agent A recommended

Creobroter spp - - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Creobroter%20sp%20-%20flower%20mantis

Popa spurca - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Popa%20spurca%20-%20African%20twig%20mantis

Oxyopsis gracilis - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Oxyopsis%20gracilis%20-%20South%20American%20green%20mantis

Hierodula multispina - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Hierodula%20multispina%20-%20Chinese%20giant%20mantis

Sphodromantis spp (a few choices here) - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Sphodromantis%20lineola%20-%20African%20lined%20mantis

- http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Sphodromantis%20sp.%20-%20blue%20flash

- http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids#Sphodromantis%20viridis%20-%20African%20mantis

 

[Chivalry]

For the size terrarium you have it'd be nice to have a species you can keep several together, so I second the recommendations on ghosts (Phyllocrania paradoxa) and Oxys (Oxyopsis gracilis). Both can be housed together and are pretty easy to keep.

Creobroter can sometimes be kept together but I had to separate mine; one of them lost an arm and another one lost all but an arm!

Best of luck, keep us posted!