Mantis oothecae

[ColorCham427]

Incubating mantid ooths are really easy.

Get a few cardboard boxes, try to find boxes that are at least 4 ft. tall, the other dimensions does not matter.

Put the box together, cut out a side so you literally have a small door. Thick cardboard doesn't fall apart when cutting open a large gap on one side of the cube.

Cut a hole in the middle of the top. Bring the cord for the heat lamp thru the hole, duct tap it on the outside so the light hangs inside.

Turn it on, wait and see what the temp. is in an hour.

You can easily figure out which wattage is best.

Then put the containers inside the box, and that's that.

As long as the cardboard box is at least 4 ft. tall, the bulb wouldn't be too close to bake the containers.

I like to incubate all of my oothecae in a 32 ounce deli cup, glued to a cloth lid.

I use non-toxic glue, you can get it anywhere. Hot glue is a bad idea for live oothecae.



If you can dedicate one box specifically for ooths that must be kept humid, try putting a bowl of organic soil soaked inside of the bottom of the box. Mist that bowl of soil daily to up that humidity.

Keep in mind you have many bulb wattages to choose from.

 

[Syn]

Woah, so the plural is oothecae? I love words like that.

Good information and thanks! I have always wanted to try this but I don't have the resources.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Thanks for the great info! The only problem is that I love Mantids especially when I come across one in the wild. They are so interesting and their insectivorous design is true wonder of nature. That being said I don't think I could hatch them and feed them off.

 

[ColorCham427]

LOL I am speaking in terms of them being pets! lol

Chinese mantids are the species that are used as feeders here in the magical captive chameleon world.

The commercial Chinese mantid oothecae are sold all over, Nurseries, Ebay, online stores.

They range from $12.00 down to barely a dollar when you buy from a true source = Ebay

Chinese mantid oothecae hatch without any issues, they are soooooo easy to hatch.

 

[ColorCham427]

Woah, so the plural is oothecae? I love words like that.

Good information and thanks! I have always wanted to try this but I don't have the resources.

You ever want to get into mantids Sabrina let me know!

I know they don't live as long as you'd like, but the amount of nymphs you can get from one ooth is worth it. You wouldn't have to sell any. Raise all the nymphs and start a colony of your own.


Mantidforum.net is the place to go if you want to learn. So is Mantis.uk.co

 

[Syn]

I will check it out. Do they do okay if they are shipped in warmer temps or would I need to wait? I have considered it, but I have the feeling I wouldn't be able to feed them off. They are pretty cool.

 

[JaxyGirl]

LOL I am speaking in terms of them being pets! lol

Chinese mantids are the species that are used as feeders here in the magical captive chameleon world.

The commercial Chinese mantid oothecae are sold all over, Nurseries, Ebay, online stores.

They range from $12.00 down to barely a dollar when you buy from a true source = Ebay

Chinese mantid oothecae hatch without any issues, they are soooooo easy to hatch.

That's good to know..I feel much better now..knowing that they aren't meant for cham food...LOL!

 

[ColorCham427]

Haha these little ones DO become food if they fall while molting. They sometimes recover, but rarely.