Thinking of setting up mantis in jars at the local farmer's market

[Thrillhouse]

I was thinking I could buy a couple ooths from a local nursery and then put the nymphs in designed mason jars with different color lichen and cloth lids. I was also going to design and print some nice cardstock care sheets to give people. I live in Salt Lake City, and our farmers market is pretty popular. It starts early, but I'm worried it gets pretty warm throughout the day.

Has anyone tried to do this?

 

[CosbyArt]

Interesting idea, but no I haven't done it or read about it before.

Regarding the heat thought unless the nymphs are exposed to sudden temperature changes (AC or such) it shouldn't be a issue, just keep them in the shade and ensure they get good airflow; however, in glass jars I'm not sure that would be possible (cross ventilation, lid and at least one side ventilated). As native species in the wild are exposed to the same outside temperatures.

Let us know if you do decide to do it and share your experience, and any photos you want to share. I'd be curious how the general public would respond to your pet mantids, as it's a largely unknown hobby/pet.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

If you are using glass containers it is imperative you keep them out of direct sunlight. In the shade with a well ventilated lid they should be fine, but get any direct sunlight on the glass and there is way too much risk of overheating. Make sure you mention this to anyone who buys one. I would also be upfront that they will need a larger cage as they grow.

I'll be honest, I don't like selling animals in these sort of situations as most people buying will likely be impulse buyers and that tends to end poorly for the animals involved.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Ditto to the heat think , go head try it and see how it goes.

 

[KevinsWither]

If you are going to do that, I'd recommend a local species that comes from your local area. I would recommend that you sell native mantids in that case as you don't want impulsive buyers unknowingly releasing them into the environment. Also, since this is a farmers market and not a reptile expo, selling native mantids (not chinese mantids) would also be of benefit due to the species already occurring there.  

All of it could work as long as you shade the jars, educate people well, and make sure that they are a native species that are local to the area. 

I would recommend that you sell stagmomantis carolina or stagmomantis limbata if you are in the lower southwest of the country. 

 

[Thrillhouse]

Yeah, I'm thinking I would definitely use native. We have Carolina, European, and Chinese here in abundance. I'm going to visit a local plant nursery and see if I can get an ooth. 

The idea was to do medium jars that still big enough for molting, with a designed out care sheet to let people know how to take care of them. And if they get bored, they can release them without a problem. I realize mason jars aren't optimal, but I haven't had a problem.

I've only been in the hobby for a year, but I love it, and want to share it. I was thinking of displaying my ghosts, but not making them for sale. If the local species are popular, I might show off something more exotic in the future.

 

[Zeppy44]

Great idea! If you know someone selling there, maybe can share some space for a while as a test market.

Have you thought about giving talks at the local elem. or middle school?

 

[Jessie]

This is my first time,i researched for hours last night,i might even get a reptile terrarium so i know it has everything. A hundred bucks worth spent. It might be over a week till it gets here but i still want to be ready. I am getting a chinese praying mantis. Any idea what might be best suited for it? The house isent always warm usuaully its like 68 to 73 F. I want somthing to regulate the tempature.

 

[KevinsWither]

As for the reptile terrarium, that's probably overkill for a chinese mantis. I'd safe the terrarium if it is large enough for an orchid mantis or one of the really large exotic mantis species or maybe even the violin mantis. I'd do the carolina mantis as the ones that will be sold as they are native species. 

 

[crabbypatty]

I keep my Chinese in a net cage, it's been doing great. While it was a nymph though I kept it in plastic containers to retain some humidity to molt. My temps vary from 68-75° and it's been doing fine. If you get a terrarium save it for a species that may require certain temps.