Buzz
Praying mantises make captivating and interactive indoor companions. Building their habitat is a straightforward and swift process. Simply acquire an appropriate container, add coconut husk and sticks, and lightly mist it to maintain humidity. For added flair, consider incorporating a few plastic flowers or trees. Enjoy observing your praying mantis explore its new surroundings.
Procedure
Selecting the Right Container
Opt for a container that is three times the length of the mantis and double its width. This ensures ample space for movement and shedding. Mobility is crucial for the mantis to prevent limb stiffness.
- Use a ruler to gauge your mantis's size.
- For instance, if your mantis measures around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide and 2 inches (5.1 cm) long, the container should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) long.
- Acquire an insect terrarium from a pet store or repurpose a clean container from home.
- Opt for plastic or wooden containers as cardboard may warp and deteriorate over time.
Secure a lid onto the container to prevent the mantis from escaping. Praying mantises are adept climbers and can easily scale the walls of their enclosures. Install a lid or cover over your container to confine the mantis within its habitat.
- If your container lacks a lid, use a piece of plywood instead.
Ensure adequate ventilation by adding multiple holes to the container. Having more than one ventilation hole promotes air circulation, preventing mold growth. If your container lacks ventilation, create six small holes using scissors or a drill.
- Ensure the holes are smaller than the mantis's width to prevent escape.
Incorporating Elements into the Habitat
Line the container's base with moist coconut husk. Lightly mist the husk until it's damp, causing it to expand up to five times its original size. Spread the expanded husk across the container's bottom to create a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of substrate.
- Coconut husk is also known as coir.
- The damp husk maintains habitat humidity.
- Purchase from a pet store.
Insert clean sticks from your garden into the habitat. These provide climbing surfaces for the praying mantis. Rinse the sticks to remove dirt or harmful insects. Opt for small branches with multiple arms for increased climbing options.
- Trim sticks to match container size using secateurs.
- Water containers of any size work; larger ones require less frequent refilling.
Enhance the container with plastic embellishments for added vibrancy. Opt for plastic flowers, trees, or grasses, ensuring ample space remains for the praying mantis to move freely.
- Obtain decorations from pet stores or discount shops.
- Choose plastic decorations for durability; avoid paper or wooden ones that may degrade over time. Avoid decorations with visible glue, as they can be harmful to the mantis.
Avoid introducing other insects into the habitat. Praying mantises prey on live insects, so introducing others will likely result in them being consumed. If you wish to keep other insects as pets, provide them with separate habitats.
Enhancing Habitat Conditions
Regularly mist the habitat with water. Praying mantises thrive in warm, humid environments. Lightly spray water inside the habitat to elevate humidity levels.
- Adjust your spray bottle to produce a fine mist for optimal humidity.
Include a water dish in the habitat. Mimic natural water sources by placing a dish atop the coconut husk. This allows the praying mantis to quench its thirst as needed.
- A jar lid serves well as a water dish.
Maintain the enclosure at 22 °C (72 °F) using a heating pad. Position the heating pad beneath the habitat and set the temperature control to 22 °C (72 °F). This ensures a cozy environment for the praying mantis.
- Acquire a heating pad from a pet store or veterinarian.
Pointers
The insights provided in this section stem from the experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you'd like to contribute to Mytour, please share it below.
- Building trust with mantises can be a lengthy process. Respect their boundaries and avoid forcing physical contact if they're not receptive.
- Females typically have 6 abdominal segments, while males have 8. Counting these segments can help determine the mantis's gender.
- Refrain from attempting to mate mantises, as the male is likely to be killed and eaten by the female.
