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Mantisheaven
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Species: Hierodula membranacea.
Common Name: Giant
Asian Mantis.
Size: Maximum: Male and
female adults, 10cm (excluding extended forelegs).
Breeding: Sexual, very
limited parthenogenetic abilities. Females can be
identified from males by the fact that they have 8
abdominal segments instead of 6 (male) and that she
will have a much larger abdomen.
Eggs: The adult female
will lay several egg sacks (oothecas) over her life
span. These are best removed to a separate container
as mantids are cannibalistic. The oothecas are best
suspended six to ten cm from the bottom of the
container as the nymphs 'abseil' down a thin thread
to the container floor when hatching. Hatching takes
place around six to eight weeks later and up to 150
nymphs can be expected.
Food: As adults, mainly
crickets with some wax worms, meal worms and other
small insects. As nymphs, fruit flies to start with,
following on to micro crickets and then larger. It
is best, as a general rule, that you do not feed
your mantid any prey over half its size as it could
fight back and injure your pet. Both adults and
nymphs are best fed every three days or so. Do not
worry if it stops eating for a week or two, as this
usually means it is going to moult soon and it will
start feeding about one/two days after moulting.
Humidity: Around 50% to
60% is ideal, but this species is fairly hardy and
will cope with fluctuations.
Temperature: This
mantid will be happy kept at room temperature,
although a small heat mat would be beneficial during
the winter as the ambient temperature is usually
lower.
Comments: This is an
ideal starter mantid. Due to its hardiness, they are
very tolerant and are easily handled. A similar
mantid to this are the Sphodromantis varieties,
which are again very hardy.
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