Precarious
Well-known member
Since Idolos have special needs when it comes to gripping surfaces later in life I wanted to prepare a terrarium specifically with this in mind. I've also noticed adult female Violins have trouble gripping screens so I made a roof insert that puts twigs between them and the screen.
I'm using a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium tank (16" tall x 12" deep x 12" across) that opens in the front, has a screened top and front venting. I already have a natural cork bark background installed but I wanted something more like twigs and lighter in color since I plan on shooting video directly in the tank.
I opted for bamboo mats! I got these at Big Lots for $5 and cut one to the width of the terrarium so I could lay it over top of the cork bark. I only used one for this project so I've got some backup.
I wanted to find an arrangement that would allow me to freely insert or remove horizontal branches within the tank without getting hot glue all over the glass. I was thinking of some kind of framework or grid I could attach twigs to, but that wouldn't block too much light as I often use additional lighting from the side of the tank. I considered chicken wire, but thought that would look crappy.
Hmmm...
I walked through Lowe's brainstorming. Nothing fit my needs. I walked through A.C. Moore and was about to buy a clunky trellis I'd have to cut to the size when I spotted the wood working section.
I ended up buying $5 worth of thin wooden dowels. I used them to build a frame to fit snugly on each side of the tank. I cut the dowels to length and used Elmer's Glue to set the cross beams in place with reinforcements above and below each level.
After drying overnight I did a test fit, made minor adjustments, then reinforced all the joints with the hot glue gun. I figured Elmer's would break down from the humidity and misting, but it was the cleanest way to get the frame together. Hot glue should seal the deal!
Here is the tank with bamboo placemat backdrop and frame in place.
I was sure to measure so as to leave room for the door to open and close without disturbing the frame. The frame ended up fitting so snugly I didn't even need to attach it with glue.
The next step was to make use of some twigs. I bought a bundle of 'Birch Bales' at the gardening store for around $7. They're generally used as embellishment in flower arrangements but seem perfect for little mantis feet to grip. They have a good range of thickness with the ends being very thin. Of course, I washed them really well in case they'd been treated for insects. Better safe than sorry.
The blocky frame looked a little unnatural so I hot glued branches over it. Ended up looking really nice and created a means of vertical mantid movement in addition to the bamboo mat. I then cut and wedged branches horizontally creating multiple levels of perches.
The best part is I can change it up as needed. For the time being I'll use it for my adult female Ghosts. When they lay an ooth I can just take that branch out and replace it. I love that level of versatility.
Her are the girls settling in...
I then made an insert to use for my violin mantids. It allows them to hold the branches or reach through to the screen if they want to. I drew up a template of the measurements of the rim of the tank. I cut 2 bamboo skewers (from MantisPlace.com) to lay over the lip of the rim. They would be what holds the whole assembly in place. I then glued twigs cut to fit within the rim to the bamboo skewers.
They really seem to like it! And the female who was having difficulty gripping is doing much better now. I'm going to make another for the Idolo tank.
I'm using a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium tank (16" tall x 12" deep x 12" across) that opens in the front, has a screened top and front venting. I already have a natural cork bark background installed but I wanted something more like twigs and lighter in color since I plan on shooting video directly in the tank.
I opted for bamboo mats! I got these at Big Lots for $5 and cut one to the width of the terrarium so I could lay it over top of the cork bark. I only used one for this project so I've got some backup.
I wanted to find an arrangement that would allow me to freely insert or remove horizontal branches within the tank without getting hot glue all over the glass. I was thinking of some kind of framework or grid I could attach twigs to, but that wouldn't block too much light as I often use additional lighting from the side of the tank. I considered chicken wire, but thought that would look crappy.
Hmmm...
I walked through Lowe's brainstorming. Nothing fit my needs. I walked through A.C. Moore and was about to buy a clunky trellis I'd have to cut to the size when I spotted the wood working section.
I ended up buying $5 worth of thin wooden dowels. I used them to build a frame to fit snugly on each side of the tank. I cut the dowels to length and used Elmer's Glue to set the cross beams in place with reinforcements above and below each level.
After drying overnight I did a test fit, made minor adjustments, then reinforced all the joints with the hot glue gun. I figured Elmer's would break down from the humidity and misting, but it was the cleanest way to get the frame together. Hot glue should seal the deal!
Here is the tank with bamboo placemat backdrop and frame in place.
I was sure to measure so as to leave room for the door to open and close without disturbing the frame. The frame ended up fitting so snugly I didn't even need to attach it with glue.
The next step was to make use of some twigs. I bought a bundle of 'Birch Bales' at the gardening store for around $7. They're generally used as embellishment in flower arrangements but seem perfect for little mantis feet to grip. They have a good range of thickness with the ends being very thin. Of course, I washed them really well in case they'd been treated for insects. Better safe than sorry.
The blocky frame looked a little unnatural so I hot glued branches over it. Ended up looking really nice and created a means of vertical mantid movement in addition to the bamboo mat. I then cut and wedged branches horizontally creating multiple levels of perches.
The best part is I can change it up as needed. For the time being I'll use it for my adult female Ghosts. When they lay an ooth I can just take that branch out and replace it. I love that level of versatility.
Her are the girls settling in...
I then made an insert to use for my violin mantids. It allows them to hold the branches or reach through to the screen if they want to. I drew up a template of the measurements of the rim of the tank. I cut 2 bamboo skewers (from MantisPlace.com) to lay over the lip of the rim. They would be what holds the whole assembly in place. I then glued twigs cut to fit within the rim to the bamboo skewers.
They really seem to like it! And the female who was having difficulty gripping is doing much better now. I'm going to make another for the Idolo tank.
