sporeworld
Well-known member
So, I'm looking at possibly hand-feeding a damaged, large adult mantis (Idol) for an extended length of time, and I'm wondering what non-living or non-animated food I might be able to get away with (understanding that I'll have to re-animate it). I understand the thought won't sit pretty with a natural-is-best view point. But I'm curious if there's been any work on the subject...
Could frozen (and thawed) former live food work? Crickets, flies, moths, bees, etc? Commercial pet foods...? Turtle pellets? What about earthworms or even gold fish? I saw the you tube video with the mantid and the mouse, so would dead vertibrate be a possibility? They eat hummingbirds, so does that mean chicken could be on the menu...? They lap up honey and banana, so could babyfood be introduced...?
I realize there are potential problems with toxins, digestion, nutrional content, etc. And I don't want to turn hobbyists away from live food, But any insights...?
Could frozen (and thawed) former live food work? Crickets, flies, moths, bees, etc? Commercial pet foods...? Turtle pellets? What about earthworms or even gold fish? I saw the you tube video with the mantid and the mouse, so would dead vertibrate be a possibility? They eat hummingbirds, so does that mean chicken could be on the menu...? They lap up honey and banana, so could babyfood be introduced...?
I realize there are potential problems with toxins, digestion, nutrional content, etc. And I don't want to turn hobbyists away from live food, But any insights...?