beginner mantids?

[Derrick]

whats a good beginner mantid. any canadian suppliers?

thx

[reverendsterlin]

the Sphodromantis lineola (african green neon) is probably the most common to find but looking around might locate you a Deroplatys dessicata (Malaysian Giant Dead Leaf Mantid) or maybe Parashendale affinis (Banded Kenyan). They are all pretty easy to keep but the Dead Leaf is the largest of it's kind, close to 5 inches, and will eat prey items 1/2 it's size once a week and has been known to go after prey close to it's own size. Blue Claws and the flower mantids I have no experience with but I believe have more stringent requirements.

[reverendsterlin]

give this link a look, it might help mantis usa (http://www.mantisusa.4t.com/custom2.html)

[nouserpif]

EASILY the most readily availiable mantid in canada (well, at least out here in BC) is the chinese mantid (tenodera aridrifolia sinises, or something)
There are a few suppliers, but none I can think of right now...
Dan Conner

[reptilesalonica]

I bred the Shodromantis lineola. It's very easy to breed the adults but very hard to raise the babies.
The container must be huge with lots of logs, to reduce canibalism tendencies among siblings. Even so, many siblings will happily eat each other driving you mad. Contact me for photos of eggsacks and breeding setup if you still interesting in breeding them.
~Greg~