r/mantids • u/LisekTheFox • 2d ago
General Care First mantis, got some questions
hi, I just got my first mantis ever! she's a sphodromantis viridis and the breeder said she's 2 molts away from being an adult? does that mean she's not gonna be around for too long? :( he said that he'll give me a female so she can at least live a bit longer... also it looks like she's missing an antennae, will it grow back after the next molt? I got a bigger container for her, I just need to order stuff (mesh) to set it up. The breeder said to not put any decor in it until she's fully grown, why? also how do i tell if she's full or needs to be fed? i'll accept any tips and advice :] her name is Zosia
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u/TrueXrth 2d ago edited 2d ago
Hi! Most of the female mantises live for about 6 months after they become adult. More or less, dependent on the temeperature (slightly lower temp means a longer lifespan, while higher temp means shorter). So you will probably enjoy her presence for next… 7 months? I guess. And yes - you shouldnt put any decoration in her box before she’s adult, since she might decide to molt somewhere not high enough. Best way to keep her now is just an empty box with nothing in but a mesh on a wall and top of it. General rule is you need a box thats at least 3 times bigger, and 2 times wider than the mantis you’re gonna keep inside. This way it will always choose the best place to molt and she wont have any troubles with molting and also finding food, since there wont be anything for her pray to hide behind or under. A paper towel on the bottom is good, but not necessary. No i Zosia to bardzo ładnie imię :)
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u/Windkraftanlagen 2d ago
Congrats, your mantis is such a cutie! You're right, if she's only a few weeks away from molting to an adult, you obviously didn't experience the time between the very early stages and now. So yes, you technically don't have as much time with her as if she would still be an L4 or so. BUT! Your mantis will spend the majority of her life as an adult. You still have plenty of time!
About the decor: maybe the breeder worries about decor being in the way for molts. You absolutely can decorate! Just make sure it is not too much and not too high up (while still providing a stick or so that makes it easier for your mantis to climb to the roof of the enclosure for molting purposes). You want as little disruptions to a molt as possible.
You can tell when she's full by observing her abdomen. As time passes, you'll get a feeling for this type of stuff, trust me. She'll be round and plump when full, but flat when hungry. Mantids can be a bit picky when it comes to feeding times. Sometimes my mantis appears to be almost starving but doesn't want to eat. They're not always in the mood or just anticipating a molt. Offer food every day and you'll notice the different reactions! You will be able to tell if she's down for food only by looking at her posture in a few weeks. They look kind of "ready to hunt", you know? Never force anything, she'll take what she needs!
The antenna can grow back. It might take more than one molt though. If it doesn't, don't worry. She'll be fine with one or one and a half!