The benefit of having a large enclosure for your mantis..

[Scruffy Aphid Herder]

I'd like to learn more about the benefits. So far I see one and only one benefit here and that is, entertainment.

I have a couple of mantids in a large enclosure and I must say; Seeing these guys slowly creep up to an unsuspecting victim cricket is the coolest thing since Monster Bug Wars.

But i'd also like to know if there are health benefits to having them in a larger enclosure.

Would their lifespan extend due to the fact they are getting exercise from hunting and exploring?

Now a lot of people think happiness is a benefit. But honestly I don't think insects have the mental capacity to feel a number of feelings including happiness.

In my observation I see only a handful of emotions or drives in a mantis: Focus, panic, hunger, and curiosity.

But I'm getting off topic. I'd like to know if there are anymore benefits to larger enclosures and if the one I stated about lifespan is one that has been experienced and proven.

 

[SilentDeviL]

Good topic let discuss , So far I don't see much difference Large or small space they don't live longer that i have keeped . But for sure is good entertainment to watch making a nice home for them . but i think this all goes how many mantis u have , if u have a collection between 5-20 I'm pretty sure they can all have a decent size home to live in.

 

[OctoberRainne]

Depending on species,some don't even hunt much,some sit and wait for food to pass by them. With homing I think you just want big enough for one to molt and find prey,too big and the space is just unused or confuses them. Once adult there is no risk of mismolting anymore so give them enough to explore and lay ooths if female,and that is really it,too small I think is bad though as then they don't fly or excercise their bodies much,the space does give the ground hunting species more space to go down and stalk things. To me there is no need for gigantic terrariums however as that is just too much for small or solitary mantids. For normal sized mantids I believe the biggest keeper I have those in is about a foot or so which is double or tripple most mantids unless a longer species

As for longevity I think that comes more from health. Cleaning and feeding

 

[Rick]

I think it is not beneficial to a hobbyist to have large enclosures. Large enclosures bring forth their own unique problems, mainly in regards to feeding. I would imagine mantids would prefer large enclosures but since most are sit and wait type predators a smaller enclosure is probably fine.

 

[Scruffy Aphid Herder]

Well I'm currently running this experiment now with 2 nymphs I have. One in a larger enclosure than the other. I really believe that lifespan can be affected due to environment. Another factor would be temperature.. But I'll just talk about the enclosure spacefor now.

 

[Scruffy Aphid Herder]

I think it is not beneficial to a hobbyist to have large enclosures. Large enclosures bring forth their own unique problems, mainly in regards to feeding. I would imagine mantids would prefer large enclosures but since most are sit and wait type predators a smaller enclosure is probably fine.

See I don't think the 'sit and wait' species, even truly exists. A creature no matter the type is not going to sit in one place the entire day unless it felt threatened in some way. I thought the grisea was this type of species since it sits and blends into the bark. It'd be easy to just wait for prey to come by. BUT, I have the same species in 2 different enclosures; and I noticed that the one in the smaller enclosure does sit and wait and the one in the larger enclosure which is 3.5 gallon tank, SEEKS OUT the prey. As soon as he spots the cricket he sits and waits but as soon as that cricket starts heading off the opposite way he hunts after it. Same is not said to the one(s) in the smaller enclosures which is a quart jar.

The mentality of the insect is simply if it can't find food in the spot that it's in it will in fact move to a new location to find it, much like the hunter&gatherer of our time. Even a spider that sits and waits will move to a new web if there's no luck catching food in the area he's in, much like a fisherman.

I'm rambling -__-

 

[Bug Trader]

I have some thoughts on this, as far as going with the bare minimal I think its a bad call because it never ends. People post up examples and debates start, then the next new hobbyists takes it to another level with the smallest conatiner he can. On the other side of the spectrum too big can mean less temp, humidity control, issues with space, even the lack of supplies to set up a large enclosure with enough plant and stick cover. Mantids are not nesting creatures they are roamers and I like seeing it and I believe there are some health benefits to it in time maybe I can document some examples.

Im on the side that believes bigger is better but only when set up in a way it suits the species needs. Most of what I have are now aquariums with door kits inside, walls of ten galls, twenties, forties and some seventy gallons but as I get situated with the setups they are all being made into living vivariums because its as close to the natural representation we can give for them and I belive they will thrive this way because stress and other factors do play a roll on a critters health and they know when they are not blending into their environment the first sign is they seek cover.. I favor live plants, well drained media's full of microfauna life in order to keep the tank clean and thriving. I want nothing less than displays that give me joy to look at and breed my bugs in because this is about what we want, How we keep them says alot about us and Im not wanting to feel like Im packing them in like sardines just to better my breeding chances or whatever.

 

[gripen]

See I don't think the 'sit and wait' species, even truly exists. A creature no matter the type is not going to sit in one place the entire day unless it felt threatened in some way. I thought the grisea was this type of species since it sits and blends into the bark. It'd be easy to just wait for prey to come by. BUT, I have the same species in 2 different enclosures; and I noticed that the one in the smaller enclosure does sit and wait and the one in the larger enclosure which is 3.5 gallon tank, SEEKS OUT the prey. As soon as he spots the cricket he sits and waits but as soon as that cricket starts heading off the opposite way he hunts after it. Same is not said to the one(s) in the smaller enclosures which is a quart jar.

The mentality of the insect is simply if it can't find food in the spot that it's in it will in fact move to a new location to find it, much like the hunter&gatherer of our time. Even a spider that sits and waits will move to a new web if there's no luck catching food in the area he's in, much like a fisherman.

I'm rambling -__-

You have never kept gongys lol. Mine have not moved in 10 days...

There are lots of factors in choosing a cage so it is hard to speculate like this.

 

[jrh3]

You have never kept gongys lol. Mine have not moved in 10 days...

There are lots of factors in choosing a cage so it is hard to speculate like this.

+1

 

[Bug Trader]

Gongy are a nice example of a sit and wait predator when in groups, but my lone females wander the vivs. That said I wouldnt limit their cage size to somthing just big enough to molt in I really dont see the point.

 

[TheOtherSpecies]

I use deli cups myself but I also use 10 gallons and 2 1/2 gallons... eventually I will have nothing but aquariums with BT's screen idea because it works very well!

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Good ventilation is needed for small set ups for a single mantis, but I also believe bigger is better, I keep 10+ mantis together all time in multipule set ups and in that case many cubic feet are needed to avoid fights and sharing food that can lead to a lost raptor or worse, and don't worry about them finding their food they will, trust me on that one.

More room = more happy and less stress...

Example:

18x18x24 Exo Terra, can hold 100+ L1's or 10-20 large adults.

 

[Bug Trader]

Nice setup Nick, I can only dream of glass looking that clean my kids leave them looking like one giant fingerprint of greese, dirt, paint and food.

 

[Tony C]

Nice setup Nick. Any particular reason why you removed the foam background and left bare glass?

 

[Bug Trader]

Other than the backgrounds on exos looking ******** I would guess its to stop them from trying to molt from it.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Thanks both of you.

L1's like to get trapped behind the first thing they can find once in a while, so I take no chances, kind of like the ones that sometimes go under the wet paper towel in a deli and don't know how to get back out and you find them dead later when you look and go "sh!t I'm not using paper towel ever again!". Ha-ha!

And yes Michael you are right as well...

 

[Paradoxica]

I go with larger tanks because all my mantids are kept communally. Not only does it save the clutter of a million deli cups, but I think it's more interesting to see them live together.

That being said I have a 24"X 24"X 48" mesh enclosure for my Heterochaetas, but they will happily go weeks on end without moving more than an inch or two from their branch.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

You have never kept gongys lol. Mine have not moved in 10 days...

There are lots of factors in choosing a cage so it is hard to speculate like this.

Are you sure your keeping them warm/hot enough? When I had mine they moved and danced quite a bit @ 88-92 temps, which is warmer than I keep my Idolo.

 

[gripen]

Are you sure your keeping them warm/hot enough? When I had mine they moved and danced quite a bit @ 88-92 temps, which is warmer than I keep my Idolo.

They are right under a 150 watt heat emitter (around 90-100 degrees) in a 24" by 12" by 12". They do seem to do better in a larger cage. In delicups they just bump their heads around.