TheBeesKnees
Well-known member
Well, I've recently come across an enormous wealth of asian ant mantis (Odontomantis sp.) on the hedges lining the parking lot of a golf course that my in-laws own! I've been spending several afternoons observing them this week, and decided to take home two subadults. They're an aggressive species when it comes to food items, but what's amazing to me is that they appear to recognize each other as "not food" and avoid stepping on each other's feet. Well, this certainly explains how so many of them can live in close proximity to one another on these little hedge shrubs (literally, there will be at least six plainly present in my immediate line of sight at any given time--I can't imagine how many there are that I *can't* see!)
The care sheet posted in the care sheet section states that they can be kept together, but only with adequate space. Is it advisable to keep my two subadult girls together in an enclosure that's around? 11" x 5" x 6"? Or is it best to keep them separated? This is the first time I have brought home a species that appears to go out of their way to avoid eating one another and so I'm a little weary. Mostly because I don't understand what stops them from hunting one another, especially considering that one is significantly larger than the other (the smaller one may be a male, but I can only count 5 abdominal segments).
I was reassured that they'd be fine together, and so only have one terrarium prepared, but I have another on hand "just in case". I want to know what the forum's more educated/experienced consensus is on the matter, if you can lend me your opinions!
Thanks lads a ladies!
The care sheet posted in the care sheet section states that they can be kept together, but only with adequate space. Is it advisable to keep my two subadult girls together in an enclosure that's around? 11" x 5" x 6"? Or is it best to keep them separated? This is the first time I have brought home a species that appears to go out of their way to avoid eating one another and so I'm a little weary. Mostly because I don't understand what stops them from hunting one another, especially considering that one is significantly larger than the other (the smaller one may be a male, but I can only count 5 abdominal segments).
I was reassured that they'd be fine together, and so only have one terrarium prepared, but I have another on hand "just in case". I want to know what the forum's more educated/experienced consensus is on the matter, if you can lend me your opinions!
Thanks lads a ladies!
