What Mantid?

[paulk]

Hi all, I would love a Mantis collection but I always start with an animal thats easy to care for and quite hardy until I have some experience in their care and breeding etc.

I have kept Phasmids for a while so have some experience in this general area. I would like some recomendations of good 'first mantids'.

Is there anything I should keep a particular eye out for? Should I start with Nymphs or adults? What size/what are the best containers for them?

Any advice you can give me will be grately received, I have done my own research into this but I always find that the experience of actual keepers is more worth while than an article written by some who has never even seen one!

So again thanks in advance! :wink:

 

[Rick]

Question is probably asked by almost every person new to this hobby. I would recommend the african mantis, giant asian mantis, budwing mantis etc. I highly recommend you get something that has outgrown fruit flies and can eat larger prey. This will make things easier for caring for your first mantis.

 

[yen_saw]

What about a nice looking idolomantis...only kidding :wink:

Honestly, it all depends on what you like, they are so many species with different requirement. If you have a space with 60-70% (humidity) and 70-80F conditions, you can keep many species of praying mantis. Large nymphs are always hardy for most species so i would go for Parasphendale sp, Hierodula sp, SPhodromantis sp. If you like to see them grow/molt and want experience rearing them for future breeding purpose get them at L2. Good luck looking for your first mantis.

 

[Asa]

I would suggest either Chinese, African, Budwing, Giant Asian or Giant Indian.