{"id":6623,"date":"2021-09-01T19:45:39","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T19:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/?p=6623"},"modified":"2021-09-01T20:03:55","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T20:03:55","slug":"does-a-praying-mantis-need-substrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/does-a-praying-mantis-need-substrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Does A Praying Mantis Need Substrate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether or not you’re new to keeping praying mantises, this is an often questioned topic. However, the use of a substrate is partly dependent on your preference. In this article, we discuss if they actually need it in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can keep praying mantises perfectly without a substrate, but using a substrate has its benefits. A substrate will isolate and reduce temperature loss, retain moisture in the enclosure for proper humidity and create a soft landing when they fall. A substrate makes the enclosure also more appealing. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of a substrate can be very favourable to your praying mantis, and you may consider using one. Let me explain in short why you could use a substrate for your praying mantis so it may help you decide if a substrate is something for you and your animal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do praying mantises need substrate in their tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you keep a praying mantis in a terrarium, they don’t necessarily need a substrate. Many keepers don’t use a substrate, so they can easily clean the enclosure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, using a substrate can have several benefits for your praying mantis, and you may need to consider it to use in your enclosure as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most praying mantises need to be kept at a warmer temperature than your room temperature. They naturally live in more tropical environments. However, glass tanks tend to lose heat. A substrate isolates one side of the enclosure and keeps the temperature higher in the enclosure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A substrate is required when you have a praying mantis species that need high humidity. Species that live in the tropics are adapted to higher humidity. One of the features of a substrate is to retain moisture and slowly release it in the air, increasing the humidity in the enclosure. If you don’t use a substrate, you have to mist-spray your enclosure more often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you want to breed praying mantises<\/a>, your female may lay an ootheca (egg pack). The ootheca must not dry out, and keeping the environment humid is essential. A substrate can help to increase the humidity and keep the humidity more stable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your praying mantis may fall off a branch, or a thin twig may break off. A substrate creates a soft bed so they can land without damaging themselves. One point that also may benefit you is that a substrate makes your enclosure heavier and is less easy to knock over. Especially acrylic enclosures are very light\u2014just something to consider, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, many keepers also use a substrate simply because it looks more natural. It makes the enclosure more appealing to see, especially when it is placed in the living room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, when you want to keep a praying mantis with isopods, you can’t do without a substrate. Isopods and springtails can be used as a clean-up crew to keep the enclosure tidy and free from mould. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, although mantises don’t specifically need any substrate, there are many reasons to choose to use a substrate in your enclosure nonetheless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related read: <\/strong><\/strong>How To Set Up A Praying Mantis Enclosure In 7 Easy Steps<\/a><\/div>