Mantis enclosure

[Willow the redfoot]

Ive been considering getting some kind of mantis for a while and there is a reptile expo an hour away from me next weekend. I’m planning on getting a young praying mantis or some type of small mantis. Going by the information I found on google I set up a simple enclosure but im not sure if it needs more or if I should change anything. I’ll attach a picture, the two sides and the top have mesh attached with magnets, the bottom is potting soil with a fitonia in the back, and sphagnum moss over the rest. The plants on the sides are pieces I cut off a larger fake plant and hot glued magnets onto. Any advice?

 

[Tom]

I'd use more soil on the bottom so it will stay damp longer.

Another tip is to use non-mineralized water for spraying, so that you don't get hard water stains. You can use RO water, distilled, or collected rainwater.

I've always fed mine Blatta lateralis babies, but wingless fruit flies or pinhead crickets can work too. If using crickets, do NOT put in more than the mantid will eat in one sitting. Leftover crickets running around will sometimes chew on a freshly molted mantid and can do serious damage. Same for tarantulas.

Show us what you get! I love the mantids and so does my daughter.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I have the same enclosure for my pet spood! I’ve never had a mantis, but think they’re so cool! Commenting to follow along with what you get

 

[Willow the redfoot]

I'd use more soil on the bottom so it will stay damp longer.

Another tip is to use non-mineralized water for spraying, so that you don't get hard water stains. You can use RO water, distilled, or collected rainwater.

I've always fed mine Blatta lateralis babies, but wingless fruit flies or pinhead crickets can work too. If using crickets, do NOT put in more than the mantid will eat in one sitting. Leftover crickets running around will sometimes chew on a freshly molted mantid and can do serious damage. Same for tarantulas.

Show us what you get! I love the mantids and so does my daughter.

Thank you I’ll add some more substrate. I was planning on feeding bsfl and pinheads so I’ll be cautious when I’m feeding crickets.

 

[Willow the redfoot]

Today was the expo and the only mantises they had left by the time I got there were adults or way out of my price range so I wandered around and now I have a Pac-Man frog. I need name suggestions for him.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Today was the expo and the only mantises they had left by the time I got there were adults or way out of my price range so I wandered around and now I have a Pac-Man frog. I need name suggestions for him.

Love the plot twist! Frogs are SO cutelook at his lil face

Throwing some suggestions

Frogatha
Ribbert
Hopper
Snoop frog

 

[Tom]

Today was the expo and the only mantises they had left by the time I got there were adults or way out of my price range so I wandered around and now I have a Pac-Man frog. I need name suggestions for him.

Frogs are cool. I've raised a few over the years. Congrats on the new addition!

 

[Willow the redfoot]

Love the plot twist! Frogs are SO cutelook at his lil face

Throwing some suggestions

Frogatha
Ribbert
Hopper
Snoop frog

are good name, my friend came up with Phil and I think that’s what I’m going with

Love the plot twist! Frogs are SO cutelook at his lil face

Throwing some suggestions

Frogatha
Ribbert
Hopper
Snoop frog

I love those names but my sister already came up with the name Phil and we’re going with that. If I get another frog I’m definitely naming them snoop frog.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I love those names but my sister already came up with the name Phil and we’re going with that. If I get another frog I’m definitely naming them snoop frog.

lol I think Phil suits him haha I love it!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Today was the expo and the only mantises they had left by the time I got there were adults or way out of my price range so I wandered around and now I have a Pac-Man frog. I need name suggestions for him.

Congratulations and hello from Rose!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Congratulations and hello from Rose!

That chubby lil butt

 

[Willow the redfoot]

Congratulations and hello from Rose!

So I haven’t been able to get him to eat yet it’s been 2 weeks and at first I dug him up to feed him but then left him alone for a week I dug him up again today and he still refuses to eat. I’ve tried earthworms, roaches, buffalo beetles, and mealworms he’s refused all of them. Any tips or anything else I should try to give him?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I'm not a frog expert, so it's just an opinion:
1. Double check temperature and humidity. If environment's off they can stay buried more than needed.

2. Two weeks without food is a lot for a baby frog...It's time to get worried.

What worked for me:
1. Feeding thawed silversides. For some reason, pacman frogs love fish. You can also try crickets, hornworms or small locusts (see p.2). My frog's been refusing roaches for a while until it has settled on feeding routine.

2. Leaving "immobilized" food in front of the frog, closing terrarium and going away for 5-10 minutes. I usually squeeze insect's head with tweezers - it still moves for a while but cannot run away.

3. Keep frog in terrarium and dim lights a bit (e.g. leave only basking lamp and no UVB/LEDs if you have them).

3. At last, you can also try force feeding, at least for sustenance (it's pretty stressful for the frog but is better than starvation). I used pureed cat food for small kittens (high in protein, easy to feed from syringe): you hold your frog in one hand, let it calm down (so it's not trying to jump out anymore) and use a mid-sized syringe (with a rubber tip or syringe for kids medicines like Panadol). Gently press on frog's mouth corner with a syringe tip, move it with slight pressure to the center of mouth and back - this will **** off your frog and it will bite the tip, then slowly release food from syringe.

You also ask around on Reddit. And maybe book a checkup with a vet (I have no high hopes about that, though - amphibian vets are even more rare than reptilian)

 

[Willow the redfoot]

I'm not a frog expert, so it's just an opinion:
1. Double check temperature and humidity. If environment's off they can stay buried more than needed.

2. Two weeks without food is a lot for a baby frog...It's time to get worried.

What worked for me:
1. Feeding thawed silversides. For some reason, pacman frogs love fish. You can also try crickets, hornworms or small locusts (see p.2). My frog's been refusing roaches for a while until it has settled on feeding routine.

2. Leaving "immobilized" food in front of the frog, closing terrarium and going away for 5-10 minutes. I usually squeeze insect's head with tweezers - it still moves for a while but cannot run away.

3. Keep frog in terrarium and dim lights a bit (e.g. leave only basking lamp and no UVB/LEDs if you have them).

3. At last, you can also try force feeding, at least for sustenance (it's pretty stressful for the frog but is better than starvation). I used pureed cat food for small kittens (high in protein, easy to feed from syringe): you hold your frog in one hand, let it calm down (so it's not trying to jump out anymore) and use a mid-sized syringe (with a rubber tip or syringe for kids medicines like Panadol). Gently press on frog's mouth corner with a syringe tip, move it with slight pressure to the center of mouth and back - this will **** off your frog and it will bite the tip, then slowly release food from syringe.

You also ask around on Reddit. And maybe book a checkup with a vet (I have no high hopes about that, though - amphibian vets are even more rare than reptilian)

Thank you for all the good information the temps are at 80-85 Fahrenheit humidity stays around 60-80%. I ordered crickets to try to give him. I called my vet and they said they probably wouldn’t be able to help with amphibians so that’s out. I did find another vet 6 hours away that said they have treated tree frogs before but I can’t call because they’re refurbishing their office.

 

[Tom]

So I haven’t been able to get him to eat yet it’s been 2 weeks and at first I dug him up to feed him but then left him alone for a week I dug him up again today and he still refuses to eat. I’ve tried earthworms, roaches, buffalo beetles, and mealworms he’s refused all of them. Any tips or anything else I should try to give him?

What did you use for substrate?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for all the good information the temps are at 80-85 Fahrenheit humidity stays around 60-80%. I ordered crickets to try to give him. I called my vet and they said they probably wouldn’t be able to help with amphibians so that’s out. I did find another vet 6 hours away that said they have treated tree frogs before but I can’t call because they’re refurbishing their office.

Sounds good. I would lower temperature a bit (to 76-77F and 82-83F) to hit the sweet spot.

Just in case, try feeding insects non-dusted (some frogs dislike calcium/multi-vitamin powder taste).

About crickets: if you feed your frog in the enclosure (unless you force feed, I would do that - just dig substrate around the frog but don't take it out), don't leave crickets roaming overnight as crickets can bite the frog (usually, it's nothing serious but can provoke an infection).

If you frog is large enough, you can also offer a thawed pinky mouse (those, under 1" in size).

 

[Willow the redfoot]

What did you use for substrate?

I’m using bioactive terrarium soil from the exotic pet store near me it’s not a brand name one it’s a mix made by the owner of the store.

 

[Willow the redfoot]

Sounds good. I would lower temperature a bit (to 76-77F and 82-83F) to hit the sweet spot.

Just in case, try feeding insects non-dusted (some frogs dislike calcium/multi-vitamin powder taste).

About crickets: if you feed your frog in the enclosure (unless you force feed, I would do that - just dig substrate around the frog but don't take it out), don't leave crickets roaming overnight as crickets can bite the frog (usually, it's nothing serious but can provoke an infection).

If you frog is large enough, you can also offer a thawed pinky mouse (those, under 1" in size).

I got him to finally eat something today someone else recommended I try a freshly molted roach and he took it. I guess I’m going to have to find a more sustainable option eventually but it’ll work for now.

 

[Tom]

I’m using bioactive terrarium soil from the exotic pet store near me it’s not a brand name one it’s a mix made by the owner of the store.

Soil should never be used. There is no way to know what is in that soil. Could be toxins, or other dangerous items. There may be something in that soil that is irritating the frogs skin or making it sick. This species has a huge appetite, so something is definitely wrong. I would try using some plain coir that has been soaked and rinsed.

 

[Willow the redfoot]

Soil should never be used. There is no way to know what is in that soil. Could be toxins, or other dangerous items. There may be something in that soil that is irritating the frogs skin or making it sick. This species has a huge appetite, so something is definitely wrong. I would try using some plain coir that has been soaked and rinsed.

Really? I’ve been told to not use coir because it will irritate their eyes. I’m not doubting you I’m just confused by all the conflicting information. The owner of the exotic pet store talked to me personally and said that’s what he uses for his personal collection of frogs. (he has a Pac-Man, 2 tomato frogs, a few tree frogs and dart frogs) I also did realize my frog is in the middle of shedding so I don’t know if that might be a factor of him not eating?