Ghost mantids+stick bugs

[Chameleon Creator]

I am debating creating a colony of ghost mantids and Indian stick bugs as feeders for my panther chameleon.
The Indian stick bugs seem simple to colonize, I'm not so sure about the ghost mantids.
The reason behind using ghost mantids is that I believe they are native to Madagascar so I can only assume chameleons eat them in the wild, although I don't know.
Does anyone have the nutritional values for the Indian stick bugs or ghost mantids?
Also if anyone has prior experience colonizing ghost mantids I would appreciate some advice on how to keep a thriving colony going. I am aware of the time it takes to reach adulthood and the ootheca process, I used to own Chinese mantids and they procreate a amongst themselves and I owned one ghost mantis before as well, although having them recreate in a controlled environment is probably completely different.
Thanks guys

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I am debating creating a colony of ghost mantids and Indian stick bugs as feeders for my panther chameleon.
The Indian stick bugs seem simple to colonize, I'm not so sure about the ghost mantids.
The reason behind using ghost mantids is that I believe they are native to Madagascar so I can only assume chameleons eat them in the wild, although I don't know.
Does anyone have the nutritional values for the Indian stick bugs or ghost mantids?
Also if anyone has prior experience colonizing ghost mantids I would appreciate some advice on how to keep a thriving colony going. I am aware of the time it takes to reach adulthood and the ootheca process, I used to own Chinese mantids and they procreate a amongst themselves and I owned one ghost mantis before as well, although having them recreate in a controlled environment is probably completely different.
Thanks guys

Ghost mantis would not be a good choice. They blend in really well, and chameleons do not recognize them as a food item 90% of the time.

 

[Chameleon Creator]

But they are awesome little guys!
Lol okay, well which mantid species would be best to use?

 

[pigglett79]

While mantids are fun to raise and the chameleons do enjoy them, they are the most uneconomical feeder you could use. I am not sure how much nutrition they provide given their slender body. They eat a ton of insects and it takes months to get them to a good feeding size. I did it twice just for fun and it was not something I would recommend as a regular rotation feeder. Unless you breed crickets, fruit flies and flies you will spend a lot feeding them. You also need to house them separately as mine would eat each other even when well fed.

The ghost mantids did the best in groups, but even after months of growing to adulthood, they aren't that big.

I like raising the mantids for fun, but unless you have an unlimited supply of small feeders you are in for a surprise. They just eat constantly. In my opinion, unless you just want to raise mantids for the fun of it and at the same time give your chams a treat, go for it, otherwise pick a different bug.

 

[nick barta]

Since mantids don't colonize well together, it is a lot of time to house and feed them separately. That being said, if you have lots of time, and want to raise Mantids for a food source, Chinese Ooths can be bought in garden centers for a few dollars.

Ghost Mantids are from Africa, there are Mantids from Madagascar, but the Chinese will be eaten with relish me thinks.

Indian Sticks are easy to raise if you have a food source year round. The most common food sources are blackberry, oak, and ivy.

Nick

 

[Chameleon Creator]

Perhaps I'll just stick to the Indian stick bugs and wait on the mantids.

 

[kgallego]

I agree with everyone.

Mantids = tons of work = tons of time = not much benefit

Tried it once. Wont try it again.

 

[deathdealer91]

I agree with everyone.

Mantids = tons of work = tons of time = not much benefit

Tried it once. Wont try it again.

Not always true. i have 3 Chinese mantids. they do eat a lot but i breed feeders to feed them. i think its easy.

 

[CarlC]

Not always true. i have 3 Chinese mantids. they do eat a lot but i breed feeders to feed them. i think its easy.

3 really doesn't do much as a feeder. If you hatch the typical ooth and get 150-250 nymph's it is a ton of work.

Carl

 

[Chameleonmaster]

One thing you could do is buy a chinese mantid ooth and feed it to baby chameleons. Attach it to the inside of the inclosure so when it hatches they can feed away!

 

[CarlC]

One thing you could do is buy a chinese mantid ooth and feed it to baby chameleons. Attach it to the inside of the inclosure so when it hatches they can feed away!

That would defineatly work. I can just never get the ooth's to hatch when needed. They either hatch early or late.

Sticks are the easiest for me. I grow a lot of raspberry so food is free and unlimited.

Carl

 

[deathdealer91]

3 really doesn't do much as a feeder. If you hatch the typical ooth and get 150-250 nymph's it is a ton of work.

Carl

that's what i did. grew them to a good size and fed them to my cham and geckos. i just like to keep a few to see how they turn out as adults. i also have 12 ooth. two are about to hatch. i have Chinese mantids and flower mantids. can't wait to see how they look. they love to eat crickets and bb flies.

 

[leedragon]

Perhaps I'll just stick to the Indian stick bugs and wait on the mantids.

go for the mantis too, it is good with varaity, I gonna breed them too in the future