Mantis Entertainment/ Mental Stimulation?

[andromedia226]

Theory: mantis shrimp are intelligent.
Theory: intelligent thingies like tackling problems.
Postulation: I should entertain my mantis.
Procedure: __________?


I have a G chiragra (only had her a week), and she's very, very big. She has a nice burrow under a large rock. She likes killing things smaller than herself. I think she is green. This is all I know about her (sexed her at acclimation) because she never, ever, ever comes out. Not even a peek.

I feed her one hermit crab once every 3 days. Roy's List says "not interactive" so I know I shouldn't ask too much, but:

-if I feed her less, will she explore more?
-If I play games with her like making her figure out how to open things to get to her food, will she become more active?
-I have her tank next to another tank with lights. I rely on the other tank's lights to give her tank a little light, but hardly any. If I put a little light on her tank, will she be more active?
-She was very active in the beginning and she's not molting or anything, but will she ever get used to her tank and just "relax" enough to hang outside for a little bit?
-Has anyone had an animal like this?

It feels a little bit like I have a pretend, imaginary mantis shrimp!

 

[Thurge]

Welcome to the wonderful world of G.chiragra. My male has his burrow open about as much as other species have theirs closed to molt. When he does have it open he usually just peaks out from the door way. I find he is most active when its been a while since I replaced his cleanup crew. I think he hords snails in his pantry, and spends most of his time watching old reruns of M.A.S.H.

 

[andromedia226]

Haha - this is where a submersible MantisCam might come in handy, huh?