question about light

[jackdhammer]

I'm moving my mantids to the garage. I monitored the humidity and temp and it doesnt get above the mid 80s or below the high 60s in there so I think it should be fine.

There are no windows in there so I was going to put a light on a timer. Do I need to use a UV light, like they make for reptile cages?

 

[PhilinYuma]

I'm moving my mantids to the garage. I monitored the humidity and temp and it doesnt get above the mid 80s or below the high 60s in there so I think it should be fine.

There are no windows in there so I was going to put a light on a timer. Do I need to use a UV light, like they make for reptile cages?

Short ans.:Nope.

Longer ans.: Ultra violet stimulates the production of Vit D in the body. Vit D stimulates the absorption of nutritional calcium. Calcium builds bones. Mantids do not have many bones.

Good question though. A lot of herpers have taken up mantis keeping and sometimes have trouble understanding that reptiles and insects have fundamentally different needs in a number of areas, including this.

I once made a silly post about gongies needing UV light and got a Sincere reply from a European Entomologist!

 

[hibiscusmile]

Hmmmm yes they need light!

 

[patrickfraser]

Hmmmm yes they need light!

Unless you want to "keep them in the dark"

 

[Rick]

You can use any light you wish.

 

[jackdhammer]

Mantids do not have many bones.

This made me lol at work.

Thanks for the info!

 

[jackdhammer]

Thanks for all the replys

 

[Survivor7]

I use a small, cheap desk lamp. I only use it for about an hour at a time, I don't trust that it won't spontaniously catch fire (yes, it's that cheap). The mantids do seem to enjoy it while it's on though

 

[guapoalto049]

I think light is good for a circadian rhythm, as well as breeding + molting patterns. As Phil brought up, insects have a chitin-based exoskeleton, which is essentially a sugar (all carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen). This keeps things light yet durable.

In humans, Vitamin D is synthesized during sun exposure in the epidermis. It signals the intestine to absorb dietary Calcium (a metal) which is a component of hydroxyapatite. This is the "base" of our bones. Heavier, stiffer, and stronger. One of the reasons why insects have such a size limit!

 

[guapoalto049]

In other words- yeah I'd use regular lights!

 

[AmandaLynn]

Hmmmm yes they need light!

I totally agree. A daily light and dark cycle is good for them.