Recommendations, please?

[msandsm]

I am new to keeping mantids (I found one in my house that I bought an enclosure for, but she only lived five days). But I became enamored of the idea of keeping one (born in captivity) as a pet. I think they're fascinating and (mostly) beautiful creatures. But I can't decide what kind to get. I like the Tenodera sinensis and the Sphagmomantis spp, but I'm not sure I want to feed the large feeder insects that they require. (By the way, can large mantids be fed smaller insects if they're given in more abundance?) I'm really just looking for a 2" to 2 1/2" "stereotypical" nymph to L2 that I can raise to adulthood.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[KevinsWither]

You decide. If you mean a 2 to 2 1/2 inch mantis, then a P. paradoxa species could work. If you can go a little smaller, than a flower mantid species (like Taiwanese flower mantids, not orchid mantis) works too. Feeding them smaller foods (not too small) but a lot more does substitute for mantids. Also, mantids can be bought at any stage, but L2 is optimal. Welcome to the hobby. All of them can be raised to adulthood with some effort in caring for them.

 

[CosbyArt]

Tenodera sinensis will require large feeders as they reach about 4" in size, and not recommended by many for beginners. Although they can eat GB/BB flies (Green Bottle or Blue Bottle flies) they will require several a day, especially the larger females - my girls like about 15 GB flies a day, while the males eat about 6 GB's. Unless the mantids are small nymphs that need fruit flies, I wouldn't bother feeding anything smaller than a GB/BB fly as many mantids will not eat prey that small.

I assume you were also referring to the Stagmomantis species as "Sphagmomantis" right? If so they do fit the smaller size you are requesting, as they usually top at about 2 1/4" in size. The Stagmomantis carolina is the most common (depending where you live). This species is one of my favorites as they are typically very curious and friendly - even the wild mantids I caught.

There are many other mantids species that fit in the size range, as most species tend to fall in the 2" category really, and some even smaller such as my 1" Japanese boxers (Acromantis japonica). The Ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) is one of the most recommended for beginners as they are a very hardy species and can take some neglect (as they are not as delicate, as far as care, like many species).

The best thing to do is actually find out what is available for sale, as not all species are available all the time. Best places to buy from are here in the classifieds, BugsInCyberspace, MantisPets, and MantisPlace. After you find what is available then you can make a decision based on what you can get, and not all 2400 mantid species.

i am curious if you have a problem with roaches, or just keeping feeder insects in general?

As the small L2 mantid nymphs will require you to culture fruit flies until they molt a few times, before they can handle stable/house flies or larger prey. Mantids are carnivores and require live food so you will have to culture feeders at some level or another, even if you buy them instead of raising them, you will have to house the fly pupa in your refrigerator and enough crickets or such for enough over the weekend or holidays. In that regard if the mantids go without food (if a pet store is sold out or whatever) they can't go very long without it affecting their health - perhaps most can only handle a week at the very most before they become lethargy and can't recover.

 

[msandsm]

I would have to say my problem with roaches comes from living in Boston, where two apartments I lived in were infested with them. I have no problem with crickets or flies. I'm happy to be in a small town in CA now - no roaches in the places I've lived.

Actually what I meant by Sphagmomantis was Sphodromantis, especially the viridis, or lineola. Sorry for the error - I'm still new at this. I'll check out the classifieds here and see what's being offered. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[CosbyArt]

I would have to say my problem with roaches comes from living in Boston, where two apartments I lived in were infested with them. I have no problem with crickets or flies. I'm happy to be in a small town in CA now - no roaches in the places I've lived.

Actually what I meant by Sphagmomantis was Sphodromantis, especially the viridis, or lineola. Sorry for the error - I'm still new at this. I'll check out the classifieds here and see what's being offered. Thanks for the suggestions!

Ah, ok I understand the roach issue. I'm in the same boat and don't keep those myself, although I keep/culture five different feeders. My wife tells "horror stories" of roaches climbing on her nose/face when she slept at a friends house when she was in elementary school. So I gave up on ever trying to convince her to let me have them.

If that is the only concern on why you don't want a larger mantid species you may want to reconsider. I have kept (and have a few left) of the larger species as well in the 3"-4"+ size and they are just fine without roaches. I feed my large mantids crickets (a staple feeder for sure) and other insects like wax moths and the GB/BB Flies - without issues and not a single roach anywhere.

If you want to try a larger species, that will open up a few more species that are great for beginners or keepers of all levels - such as Griffin mantises (Polyspilota Griffinii), Double Shields (Pnigomantis medioconstricta), the Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula sp.), some others like the African mantis (Sphodromantis sp.), and the Rhombodera species in particular. The Rhombodera species is called the companion mantid (and the only species I heard ever called that). As once they are tamed (handling them by you often, daily if possible), they act like a pet dog/cat more so than any other species - demanding your attention, wanting out to sit on your shoulder (will even watch TV), and much more. It's funny to hear stories about them on the forum and online.

That said some keepers prefer the smaller mantids, while others want the larger species. I myself actually prefer the smaller species from all the ones I've kept so far - as I find the smaller ones tend to be more friendly, active, and interested in being handled. Although they can be at times like a little fearless Chihuahua, running and jumping all over the place lol. The larger species tend to be more relaxed and just like to hang around.

So you might want to try a smaller species and a larger one yourself eventually, that way you can decide which you size you prefer too. Then you can concentrate on finding the "one" favorite species, which will just lead to the collectors mentality though with trying as many as possible and finding many favorites.