Praying Mantis Keeping 101 - A Beginners Guide

[@christophermichael.w.7577]

I have them in my yard and living in the plants that I keep inside over the fall and winter months. I found a bunch of babies in the garden this year. I always move them to a safe place when I spot them.I just saw a big female sitting on my citrus tree that I keep in my basement.I started helping them a little and I find them all over the place now.

[@Wade_Wiley]

Thats so cool I wish we had some wild ones in the UK!

[@ghfamghgam1172]

@@Wade_Wiley they are beginning to be found in the wild in England funnily enough one was found in a garden near me a few days ago

[@destiny_da_dog]

Sameeeee

[@hermindasalazar6822]

@@Wade_Wiley mine is white eyed

[@xanopython9062]

@@Wade_Wiley me too :(( Ireland here

[@19Badger98]

One day I was outside on a walk, and heard a cicada in a tree buzzing repeatedly, I looked up and a praying mantis has captured the cicada and was slowly devouring it. Nature is cruel, yet beautiful.

[@captainrex4403]

I just found a praying mantis outside recently and he looked kinda weak so i brought him inside and put him in an aquarium tank with some substrate and other accomodations. I named him Jimbo. He is regaining strength and doing really well. Haven't decided if I'll release him back out into the wild or not. He is very interesting and enjoys sitting on my hand or shoulder and enjoys being talked to. This video helped me understand better how to care for Jimbo.

[@JoCaTen]

It's been over a month, how's he doing now? If he's still around that is

[@WesWes-p3s]

I've just found myself in a similar situation. May I ask how you managed to feed Jimbo? The praying mantis I came across (I named her Branch) Is still fairly weak and has yet to eat anything.

[@captainrex4403]

@@WesWes-p3s I place Jimbo on my hand and hold a cricket up to him, he usually grabbed it from my fingers and was able to eat. Now that Jimbo is all healed up, he enjoys hunting for his food again. At times he still let's me feed him.

[@captainrex4403]

@@JoCaTen he is doing great!!! Grown quite a bit too. Thanks for asking 😊

[@sandravandenbor]

He sadly can't hear you though

[@nathanfranklin6451]

Not that you're wrong at all but the comedic timing of "they make great pets for children" as the close up on this tiny fuckin alien monster eating a fly's face whiles its alive couldn't have been better. Thank you for that.

[@TapioBlue]

As a child in Toronto we caught Mantis for pets, it was 1971. There was a round bug keeper with a slender neck that we could buy. Some lads had aquariums with screen on top. We would catch grasshoppers and crickets to feed them. My fondest memories.

[@kristindyalcattell6109]

He said no crickets (I think)

[@halimaw8922]

​@@kristindyalcattell6109 that was also 1971 before this video, editor even KZbin was made lol. People didn't know better

[@MinusTwoPoints]

This answered a lot of my questions. Now I finally made my decision to get a Ghost Mantis :) Thank you!

[@Scriblyn]

This 2 months ago. Any updates?

[@MinusTwoPoints]

@@Scriblyn My Mantis girl is doing well and has molted two times since I have her! Easy to take care of :)

[@Scriblyn]

@@MinusTwoPoints OH awesome!

[@Fyz-qz3bv]

Quick question, is it still living?

[@MinusTwoPoints]

@@Fyz-qz3bv she passed about a month ago from old age and she had a good life. I got her wenn she was L5 :) I got a Creobroter sp. "Yunnan" now who just reached adulthood! Very nice and easy species too

[@rhysfisher5858]

Ive kept mantises for years, and this is the best tutorial ive ever seen

[@timwatts3407]

I found a one armed mantis I took her home and fed her water from my finger tip and let flies in and they went to the window screen i put the mantis on the screen and closed the window so she and the flies were trapped an watched as she caught the flies one handed , she lived until November after foaming up a pod. I buried her, and her kids were let loose in the spring. Her name was Joan

[@sleepwalkerscum485]

you did great, a true form of passion and care the mantis soul is watching over you, as you let her fulfill her role as an individual of her species, you let her perpetuate the cycle of life and i think mother nature is gonna be forever grateful for that act of kindness I think us, humans were created to help that cycle of life to be continued and you fulfilled your role as well, what do you think ?

[@dianas7549]

I've always wanted to keep an orchid mantis, but I told my husband that I want to start off with a more simpler and easy mantis, one more for beginners, before I work my way up to taking care of an orchid mantis. Mantis's are just so beautiful. I find so many outside and I always want to take them home, but I fear of taking them away from a habitat that they are already adapted to. Thank you for this video. I will be taking notes and no doubt be revisiting this video many times to make sure I am doing everything right.

[@tylerkrug7719]

Same here,the orchid mantis are amazing! But I'm starting out with some other types first,get my feet wet

[@scrummyvision]

did you get one yet?

[@QaDri93]

That’s my goal too! The orchid mantis looks sooooo beautiful! But I’ll have to get some experience first. Hoping for the best.

[@JenArch]

We found a Chinese mantis last October in the bush near our front door. We took it in because she was going to freeze as it was getting too cold. We got 2 more months with her before she passed. From there we were hooked! I want an orchid too but we decided to buy a Chinese mantis oothca. We had it hatch the other day. Have 10 nymphs to raise and release all but 2 and the rest went out into my flower beds. I suggest the Chinese mantis first as you get comfy with care then move to the exotic species!

[@katyajovich2308]

Oh dear, I’m starting with an orchid mantis. Worried now

[@quillthemooshroom2993]

I am 11, and me and my siblings have been searching for days to try and find a Chinese mantis it’s so hard we still haven’t found any we have a tank set up and are prepared for the worst. This video was very helpful thank you and continue with the good work

[@beast20365]

if you can't find one, do some chores around the house and ask mom and dad to order you one online for $20!

[@sherrythomas1950]

@@beast20365 I saw them for as high as $31.00...NOT including shipping! I was SUPER lucky...I found 3 RIGHT in our VERY small yard. I put ALL in 1 bush...NOT knowing of the WORST. Next morning went right out to move them to SEPARATE places...but SADLY could find only 2. BOTH are female. I have each one in a 10 gallon tank & they are eating WELL. NO molting. HOW can I tell how OLD they are... I'm CONCERNED that they will PASS AWAY before I have them for a LONG time. THANKS FOR A GREAT VIDEO!

[@jimmycoallier]

@@beast20365 where did you bought your mantis ?

[@icewolfvip9580]

Hey I’m twelve, I found a brown mantis outside I’m so happy I found this dying bee outside, I fed it to my mantis and she loved it

[@joebaumgart1146]

Orchids and Devil flowers are the most difficult to own and care for. I would definitely not recommend them for someone your age. They're also the most expensive.

[@beast20365]

I've been doing research after ordering a ghost mantis and this is the best video I've found yet, thanks a bunch

[@danjuul503]

Where did you order them from?

[@helmetness]

I was looking for marvel rivals tutorials, but this works too

[@Hookweaver]

Absolutely brilliant, I’m raising my first mantis. I got three egg sacks they hatch. I let them go in the garden except for four and one made it I call him George yes after the Beatles he is beautiful. Thanks for all your information I subscribed

[@itsBASILLICUS]

that marbled black mantis with the spikey abdomen is so beautiful!

[@tsutl84]

I really like this guide. I would add that if you can get them Chinese and Carolina mantis are also extremely hardy. I personally start handling my mantis a couple days after their second or third molts so that they become comfortable with me and I suggest doing the same. It makes handling them as they get older much easier. By adult hood my mantis see me walk into the room and open their enclosure and they come out to me of their own accord. Even the males will fly to me. When I hold them if they are "cleaning" my hand I put just a little water on my hand for them. I have had babies that just hatched and the next morning are suddenly dead. I also had an adult male once that was acting perfectly normal one day and the next morning he was dead. The video is correct, sometimes they just die. Though I would say avoiding feeding them crickets or wild insects are good precautions though in my experience not needed. My mantis gladly eat crickets, mealworms, and especially flies or wild caught moths. I only get crickets from a couple pet stores though because I know their crickets are kept clean and they get them from a reputable seller. If you choose to hand feed them I would not do it too often because I have had many mantis that will refuse to hunt if I fed them by hand too much. Also white paper towels are great substrate for baby mantis when you are feeding them fruit flies. Makes it much easier for the babies to find the flies. One last tip I can say is if you keep a mantis don't be surprised if they get very comfortable with you and not so much with other people. I have mantis that was walking from hand to hand on me and my mom put her hand next to mine and the mantis froze. She did not recognize the hand. They will recognize the people who take care of them. Just cause they are bugs doesn't mean they can recognize their owners. If you want them to be comfortable with someone else as well make sure you have that person interact with them at least a couple times a week.

[@trevorflegler6563]

I agree with everything here. Absolutely nothing wrong with crickets and the occasional wild caught moth. I’ve never once had a problem with bad feeders and I’ve owned 3 mantids.

[@CH33ZE_PUFFZ]

I have my pet pray mantle and I named her woodalin because she looks like wood and this really helped me take care of her😊💜 Thank you💜😊

[@jamesbuck3818]

O.M.G! Such delighted for YOUR knowledge!.. I'm intimidated to Try?

[@LiviaRakovic]

I once saw a giant green one and it did its little 'defence dance' to me. So facinating!!!

[@timfly767]

Very interesting indeed. I've always been fascinated by this creature and this post was so informative.

[@auroralmoonelf]

Just had a bunch of babies hatch on my porch this morning from 2 different sacs. It was so cool seeing all the babies. Kind of want to collect a few and breed them to release once they've gotten to mate 💜

[@clarabothel141]

Thank you for this great video! My daughter and I found a mantis and have been catching grasshoppers to give her. I will buy some fly larvae for her now.

[@beargillium2369]

This is still one of the best presentations on mantids, used it couple years back and have had a decent mantis community ever since, only this year going for another bought ootheca to boost population so it's nice for the refresher 👍

[@ktear]

Very helpful! We had an unexpected hatch in the house and since it's too cold for them to survive outside we're scrambling to find food for the babies. Just ordered some flies and will stop giving our adults crickets. I never considered some of the issues we've seen may be from pet store crickets.

[@leecherone7601]

Brilliant video. I’m new to keeping Mantids and have found this very informative. I have a Male Ghost L4 and a female Asian L5 currently.

[@bradb.4570]

Just caught one today, haven’t had one since I was a kid! Wicked cool insect 👍🏻

[@Toototabon.Toototabon]

I’m thinking of getting some mantises. That was so thorough - but more important to me was that it was accessible, understandable. I feel i could DO what you’ve said because of your clear simple and comprehensive instructions. Thank yoi

[@Scriblyn]

This video helped me most in my research for caring for a Giant Asian! Thank you so much!

[@RealMrBased]

I find a mantis in my back yard all the time. A few days ago I captured one. It was one of the more unique ones I’ve seen here in Colorado. It’s brown with black spots and not very big maybe 3ish inches head to tail, not sure if it’s just young or a smaller species. This video was very helpful because I’ve been so entranced with it since I captured it. I was happy when you said flies are best because that what I fed it! I was think about a wasp but figured it was better to feed it something that can’t fight back.

[@leeflyslayer6453]

I’m thinking about introducing a few in my yard to take care of a massive grasshopper plague I’m dealing with. They are so cool though, I might keep a few for myself 😂. Thank you for all of the useful information

[@mikepowers7444]

Thank you for the valuable info! My oothesa just hatched this morning. I thought I researched everything I needed to know, but you had some great tips (Exepically the crickets) . New fan

[@harryhoffer9804]

The only insect that doesn’t freak me out is the praying mantis, the most frightening of insects

[@PlanetKaylah]

The most frighting is the centipede 😅

[@lylaboudreaux4866]

I can’t handle their eyes, they freak me out

[@Monascha]

Thanks for this I had a giant Asian mantis and I am planning getting another these tips were so helpful!

[@Jetstoanywhere]

Super helpful , I think when I finally move into my condo I am getting a mantis !

[@kon-draw-key-8688]

I just got my mantis, and before i got her i watched this video, it helped me SO much with what type i should buy, along with what i should get and how to care for my new ghost mantis! unfortunately, i couldnt get a humidity gauge since it pushed the price over my budget. This also helped me identify Thistle was a female! shes currently settled in and recently had a meal of a small cricket! (hopefully it doesnt hurt her, the cricket was small and farmed though)

[@Wade_Wiley]

Glad to hear its still useful! Humidity isn't too much of a worry unless its an advanced species so I'm sure its fine :)

[@flamingbridges1649]

I ordered my first ever mantis on Friday (a ghost mantis) can't wait to get it

[@informalnarwhals]

thank you for this vid!!! very helpful caring for one our puppy found trying to get on our hummingbird feeder [again]. caught her in a jar as soon as i misted her she drank up the water, then i gave her some sticks to climb on and now shes hanging upside down on the holey lid. we're gonna release her at the park tomorrow♥

[@morganjacklin6405]

I’ve kept 3 Chinese mantises:) Fred, Jerry, and Jed they all had pretty good life’s. For beginners I’ve found them pretty easy to care for

[@brettphillips9147]

I have a Chinese mantis. He's super chill and easy to handle. Awesome pets 😎

[@RCCARGEEK]

very helpful

[@Allyourbase1990]

I was actually wondering if the bite would hurt at all . That’s cool that they don’t nip at you very much . I really want to get a ghost mantis and orchid mantis . They’re so beautiful

[@prohunter49]

very helpful! but a lot of google articles say they can eat crickets so im very confused

[@Wade_Wiley]

Its a contentious topic, I personally think its better to just be on the side of caution. If they were crickets that were bred and raised yourself im sure it might be fine but from my experience of buying crickets from pet shops they often come with parasites, and cannibalise which will lead to a lot bacteria. I've never had any issues with fly feeders so just find it the safest option personally :)

[@prohunter49]

@@Wade_Wiley thanks!

[@Ceizure]

I found a female mantis in my apartment in Arizona. I put her in a paludarium I had vacant. When I came home from work the next day to prepare a proper home for her she had actually climbed up the glass. They’re a beautiful creature

[@Ceizure]

I’ve also been feeding her crickets for now

[@Ceizure]

Now that I’ve watched 5mins in I will stop now

[@ReptileSeb]

This was a fantastic video! Thank you so much, I’ve kept reptiles and amphibians for 10 years but only just started keeping inverts so this video was perfect :)

[@mister_pincerey]

0:04 me munching on my pet mantis:

[@Canosoupppp]

What would I feed a baby mantis??

[@HammboneBob]

I feed mine ground beef and fruit flies

[@rayswann7618]

Very good guide, I would love to have one but too worried I might hurt the little creature.

[@MojaveDaemonWitch]

🌹💙 New Subscriber here; this video was fascinating and informative. I’m a senior citizen in the USA (Mojave Desert) who is thinking to start this hobby. I’m very interested in the Orchid Mantis, but understand the importance of starting with a hardy breed. Thank you kindly for these videos. Bright Blessings! 🌞🙏

[@LeonardoDaVinciLulz]

I've got these egg sacs everywhere here, inside my house, outside in the sheds and on objects. It's an old house I am renovating at the moment. I was just wondering what they were. Thanks.

[@janehall5057]

I just got a praying mantis egg thanks for the video now I now much more about them thanks

[@TheConservativeHippie]

This was very informative. Thank you so much. I’ve got three babies of three different breeds

[@colleenanne4032]

This is so appreciated and helpful. Thank you!

[@jessicaknight1949]

Hey I'm getting my first mantis tomorrow. I wanted to get some live plants any idea what ones would be safe? Thank you for the video!

[@minihali]

If you still need advice, pothos, oak leaf creeping fig and wandering jew all make great plants for any terrarium

[@jorgeaguirre8754]

Great explanation bro! 🙏 Thanks for this 👏

[@Jamiesaurus_Art]

Can you use springtails/isopods and leaf litter to do bioactive? Or will they hunt them to extinction?

[@iris3036]

Thank you for your help

[@marleywyatt3858]

Would you say an orchid mantis fits for a first time (I’ve had macleays spectres and leaf insects just not mantids)

[@sequoiaexotics9324]

Really cool video! I hope you gain more subscribers soon! Keep up the good work! 👏🏻

[@VeryFahad]

Just found 4 bushes by my house full of Chinese mantids! Love my 2 little guys!

[@Wade_Wiley]

Thats so cool! I wish we had wild mantids here in the UK!

[@tech_critter]

Are Chinese mantids the standard 'praying mantis'?

[@HistoryShell1786]

@@tech_critter no, the most commonly seen one in the US, is the European mantis, it has the two black markings on its arms. The Chinese mantis has brown wings with a green line.

[@klotz808]

If I would have a spider in my apartment, can I take the mantis, carry it towards the spider and she catches it?

[@klotz808]

I got to the warning not to feed wild insects. Thanks.

[@raiyanawal8590]

Great video for beginners!

[@dynajay4106]

I remember making the mistake of giving my mantis a cricket I found in the garden. Although it put up a great fight, the mantis basically ate Jiminy's head and used his face as a mask. I did notice the cricket bit the mantis a few times which was sad. Little drops of mantis blood were kinda leaking out from between its limbs. I felt bad overall.

[@bruhler7559]

Crickets and grasshoppers can do massive damage to any creature yeah. i remember getting spiked by big grasshoppers while trying to catch them.

[@kirstyroberts4990]

I’ve just ordered a giant Asian mantis and I can’t wait 🥰

[@KirstieHill235]

When i was around 9, my grandad sent our family a mantis egg and i realise a decade later she wasnt kept in the best of conditions, she had plenty of space but we rarely socialised with her because we didnt know what we were meant to actually do. I think id like to properly look after one this time but only if im gonna do it right!

[@lucas4177]

I wish to know where I could find opposite ventilation containers for them, or if there's a manual for your own hand made containers cause they look so good.

[@tammylovescats]

Thanks for the info! I enjoyed watching these vids

[@thekrazykraken298]

Since I live in america, and some mantises are banned, is the Carolinian mantis a good choice?

[@SeniorJohnQPublic]

Great video.

[@colleenanne4032]

What type of water do you use to mist? We have read wildly contradictory information. Some say to use distilled water while others say distilled water does not have enough minerals etc. necessary. We are in an area that uses chlorine and chloramine in the treated water - left out for 48 hours the chlorine will evaporate but the chlorine will not. We've also heard from the local reptile store that they use a water conditioner to remove the chlorine and chloramines. We've also heard though that this is unsafe. Thanks for any advice!

[@Wade_Wiley]

I've always done the latter and use a water conditioner just in case, never had any problems :)

[@rengalafuze8700]

What do you say about molting and spritzing at time 4:48? It's difficult to understand. Thank you.

[@danielpeoples9561]

Cool video. Just a silly sort of question, but how large do you think a mantis would need to grow before it might consider a human being as prey?

[@lonewolf.1751]

Cool video there, I have a question if you don't mind, I live in Scotland and it's not as warm over here so i was just wondering if i would need a heat mat for under my substrate ?.🙂👍👍

[@emilieimbecile2060]

What is that song in the background? Sounds like the verses of Tommy Roe's "Sweet Pea" but not the chorus

[@ambergarcia576]

It's amazing how an insect can be revered and mimicked .

[@Kyriestars]

are green chinese mantis's a good starter mantis as well? they are the only mantis legal to get in my area

[@vyannguyenha6502]

My mantis is acting a bit more slugish and doesn't seen to be hungry. I thought it was molting but it turned darker. Is this weird?

[@ornithowlogist]

is bigger always better with mantids? i have a 10 gallon (12x12x18in) tank, but i feel that may be too big?

[@hdtravel1]

They are fascinating creatures - they are cool !!

[@amandajohnson7190]

I found one crossing the threshold of my patio sliders and put it on my coffee plant - but can’t tell if he/she is eating 😕 any suggestions?

[@ChubbyArcanine]

Hi there ! My son and I found a mantis on the porch. He was still out there the next morning and snow was due in the next couple days so we took her in. SHE LAID EGGS!!! Can I pull the sac off of the top of the terrarium or will I destroy it? Also, do I just toss it in the fridge until spring? Please help us. Thanks!

[@SephoraBloons]

700th Subscriber!

[@azzabazza3729]

Great video, been thinking about getting one for a while but so indecisive, can I ask where you actually buy them from???? I feel like in the UK it’s kind of hard to source them 👀

[@Wade_Wiley]

thespidershop.co.uk are great, never had any problems with them :)

[@azzabazza3729]

@@Wade_Wiley ah right, cheers man I have heard of them but didn’t know if they were legit or not, will check them out. Once again great video you should defo make more 👌🏻

[@mrfloaty7253]

My mantis while molting fell on the bottom of her enclosure and still managed to molt succesfully

[@limutölkki]

She was an extremely lucky mantis then!

[@thesnuggler9606]

We had a patient in the Psych ward I was working in about ten years ago who caught a mantis and fed it liquid methadone. I wasn't surprised they ended up in Psych.

[@ltbear1234]

i wanna ask i have a mantis at home and in two weeks she already molted two timei search at youtube it at least 9-15 days and my mantus only have 6 days difference between the moulting is it okay?

[@emilflognoid1532]

Id ove to have one, but i do pest control and I'm afraid residual insecticide on my hands would kill it... when i see them in the wild i try to get a plastic cup and move them if their in a yard im treating

[@MrsSmith503]

I was just outside burning branches and saw movement in the ashes a few centimeters away from the embers. Looked closer, it was a tiny praying mantis (maybe 10cm long). I scooped him up before he became absolute toast, but a few of his legs are awfully crispy… he’s in a 10 gallon terrarium with some branches for now to hopefully rehabilitate. Any advice on food? Should I put some old fruits & veggies in there to attract small flies? Thanks in advance xx

[@lightup6751]

Watch the video. He explains everything on feeding. Your mantis still alive?

[@MrsSmith503]

@@lightup6751 I jumped the gun on commenting 😅 I kept the mantis for a few days before it looked significantly better & released it. Hope it’s living its best life out there now!

[@MrOldskoolgamez]

We caught a mantis in our yard and it loves grasshoppers and box elder bugs for smaller snacks.

[@cloud8133]

Can I feed my mantis fruit or vegetables once in awhile

[@reeniehannan4111]

Just bought my mantis named mandy indoors in an enclosure...right now I only have paper towels on the bottom...we have mealy worms and got crickets from out local pet store which I will not be feeding anymore...can you tell me where I can order flies from ?? I have supplies coming like long tweezers and plants etc for inside....she does like being sprayed....it went down into the 30's last week....please help about the flies thank you!!

[@augustguldberg4662]

Do you need to turn off the light at night

[@kyronyxng3347]

I found a baby mantis a long time ago, and kept it up for a while. But I made the terrible mistake of feeding it crickets when it got so big. Poor thing got sick within a few days and I haven't had the heart to care for one in a long time.

[@Derek2k]

I’m curious why do you need to worry about temp? I’m just wondering because they live in Chicago area and it’s crazy weather of course. How do they survive?

[@Wade_Wiley]

I guess it depends where you live - generally though with hardy species "if you're comfortable, theyre comfortable" is a good rule to go by, so assuming your house isnt overly hot or cold they'd be fine :)

[@tamarasimpkin]

Hi and thank you, very informative. I do have one question though. My female mantis has moulted overnight and now has wings, how long should I expect her to continue living please? I read somewhere that she will likely die during the next moult, is this true and how long roughly do we have left with her before this happens, Thank you .

[@Wade_Wiley]

It depends on the species but If she now has wings that will be her last moult. It can vary a lot but i would imagine she'll be around for 3-6 months :)

[@DanielKhuu]

Does anyone know what the grime left behind on the walls is? Do they just secrete oils? This same thing occurred when I held a cicada for a while in a container. The cicada left behind so much of it though, it was gross

[@diegoparga9324]

Help! Today I found a beautiful green mantis just sitting on a road sign on the street. It has not left that spot for over ten hours, but I live in a pretty busy city (Mexico City) and there’s lots of people, pets, cars, etc. moving around so I’m afraid the bug may get hurt. Should I leave it alone and let nature do it’s thing? Or should I try to rescue it and bring it home? Thanks

[@sophiapowell5830]

This was very helpful but I do have 1 question, how would I prevent mold growing from all the misting in the enclosures?

[@limutölkki]

It needs to have really good ventilation.

[@jackierobinson1945]

Hi I have my first mantis, an african green. She has just had her 2nd molt since I bought her and the shop said she had she 2 or 3 times there. I noticed wing buds before this shed and she now has beautiful wings only one hasn't opened properly at the end. Is this a problem. 12.25 noon uk

[@Zelcev]

Can I feed it flies that are going around my house and what about those spider if u think those spider sre dangerous can kill em and give it to her ?

[@Wade_Wiley]

I would steer clear of any prey that could potentially injure the mantis. The reason wild flies are usually avoided is because you just dont know where theyve been and what insecticides they may have injested. It's one of those things where its a low risk, but is it a risk you wanna take if you don't have to - so your call :)

[@mrschacha3]

I found a baby praying mantis on my couch today inside my house. 😱 Right now I went to my local Pet Smart and bought some forest flooring and some other stuff for humidity. Also some fruit flies. Right now she/he is in a plastic container bigger but not too big. I put a hole in the top with a tissue over it. I also have a paper towel in the bottom and some twigs for her to call on. She has not ate the fruit fly yet. What do I do…?? I don’t want her to die!!! 🥺

[@mrschacha3]

Crawl on*

[@Wade_Wiley]

it sounds like you're doing everything right! Sometimes if theyre preparing to moult they may not take their prey and can sustain for quite a while without eating. It can depend on the species but id just continue to give it a light mist of water on the side of the container every few days to keep it at an average humidity and have the option of drinking then hope for the best! With luck it might go through a moult and then i'm sure it will munch on the fruit flies!

[@mrschacha3]

@@Wade_Wiley thank you. After posting this my praying mantis is now eating. She doesn’t eat the whole ff but she nibbles on it. She finally crawled on my finger for the first time. 🥺 She hasn’t molted yet but I figure she will soon. I have now had her for 1 week. 🥰

[@mrschacha3]

Also she is a Carolina Mantis.

[@Prajwal____]

@@mrschacha3 hey hello! Can you give a little update on your mantis please!!

[@jake_grape]

Awesome video!

[@laurenMegan]

Great video! Can I ask you a question? Where did you get your water spray bottle from? I need one like that for substrate moisture.