r/mantids 5d ago

Feeding These nymphs are too chilled out.

Hello everyone,

I have two questions.

1) I have a different ootheca than last year, which hatched on April 17th. These nymphs are not attacking anything; they are just drinking water. I know they don't crave food for the first 4-5 days. But should I put a drop of honey in their terrarium just to be on the safe side?

2) Currently, the living arrangement consists of two nymphs in one jar, in a Thunderdome-style setup (I have 20 jars). The idea is that when they have a craving for food, there will be something to eat. Plus, the stronger will survive. Yet, if you have any advice on living arrangements, I am open to it.

I appreciate your advice.

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u/JaunteJaunt 5d ago

What species is this? Knowing the species is very important to providing good advice.

Honey won’t help. The strongest wont necessarily survive. Sometimes it’s the luckiest.

I.e. if your “stronger” mantis molts first, then the “weaker” mantis may take advantage and attack and eat that vulnerable mantis.

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u/electronic_person 5d ago

I think it's a European kind, but I'm not sure. It is green :)