Johnald Chaffinch
Well-known member
hi everyone!
i'm just about ready to buy my first mantis, but as yet i'm undecided as to what species it should be. what's your opinion on what a beginner should get?
i've read that Sphodromantis ( African ) is best for a beginner but there's a few different types - belachowski, centralis, gastrica and lineola, and i dont know which of these is easiest. what's the difference?
i've also read that Tenodera ( Chinese ) and Hierodula ( though again a few different species - parviceps and membranacea ? ) are easy ones to keep but i dont think any of these recommended easy ones have the aethetics of the more exotic ones...
i think i'll be able to keep temperature and humidity monitored and regulated so that's not really a big factor in deciding, neither is housing. i think the main care problem i might have is their food, i'd like to breed whatever they eat and dont want to have to spend a lot of money.
i cant help it but the way they look is a main factor for me in trying to choose one, i'd prefer one without a really large abdomen or large wings, one that doesnt freak me out! a pretty one. my favourite mantids to look at are what i've heard to be hard to look after types - Phyllocrania paradoxa ( Ghost ), Hymenopus coronatus ( Orchid ) and Gongylus gongylodes ( Violin ). are any of these, or any similar, at all possible for a beginner to care for?
what would you recommend?
i'm just about ready to buy my first mantis, but as yet i'm undecided as to what species it should be. what's your opinion on what a beginner should get?
i've read that Sphodromantis ( African ) is best for a beginner but there's a few different types - belachowski, centralis, gastrica and lineola, and i dont know which of these is easiest. what's the difference?
i've also read that Tenodera ( Chinese ) and Hierodula ( though again a few different species - parviceps and membranacea ? ) are easy ones to keep but i dont think any of these recommended easy ones have the aethetics of the more exotic ones...
i think i'll be able to keep temperature and humidity monitored and regulated so that's not really a big factor in deciding, neither is housing. i think the main care problem i might have is their food, i'd like to breed whatever they eat and dont want to have to spend a lot of money.
i cant help it but the way they look is a main factor for me in trying to choose one, i'd prefer one without a really large abdomen or large wings, one that doesnt freak me out! a pretty one. my favourite mantids to look at are what i've heard to be hard to look after types - Phyllocrania paradoxa ( Ghost ), Hymenopus coronatus ( Orchid ) and Gongylus gongylodes ( Violin ). are any of these, or any similar, at all possible for a beginner to care for?
what would you recommend?