pvc mantis burrows?

[sharkdude]

I've been looking at online pics of mantis setups, and some people use pvc pieces as burrows for their mantis, especially the larger peacock mantis.

is this necessary? or appreciated and used by the mantis?

I would think you could strategically position for better viewing, but I guess the mantis could elect not to use it.

when they make 'natural' burrows in the sand, how are they kept intact? some kind of mantis spit to solidify the sand walls?

what size pvc for a 5 in peacock? 1 1/2 inch diameter pvc big enough? I have some spare connectors and pipe around.

I read they also like to have a few exits/entrances to any given burrow?

thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

 

[rwhhunt]

Custom Builder

Custom Builder

I made a cave burrow out of LR that i fit and matched pieces together to carefully create a nice cave. However I only made one entrance/exit right in front so I can watch him...but he found a a place where he wanted another door...So he made it! Knocking a good size chunk of LR out of the way, so I guess they like at least two openings. Here he is peering out of his new door.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Given the right size, most stomatopods will choose to live in a piece of pvc over a shallow cave. For a 5 inch O.s., I would use 2 inch diameter grey or black pvc approximately 8-10 inches long.

Burrowing species that live in sand such a Lysiosquillina and Pullosquilla mix mucus and sand to form a solid burrow wall and to make a temporary cap. A large Lysiosquillina does not have enough mucus to quickly make a burrow in the field. Given time in the lab, they can put one together over several days to weeks.

Burrowing species such as Odontodactylus do not seem to be able to make mucus and they rely on the natural consistancy of the substrate to hold its shape - plus they are good brick layers and can often fit together a burrow using small stones, shell, and coral rubble.

Roy

 

[sharkdude]

Thanks for the replies. Nice photo and cool observation RHunt.
Very interesting Roy. I will get some larger pieces to experiment with as well as enrich the setup with various rubble. Just the advice I was seeking!

 

[Uriel]

I really wanted to go natural, so I bought my O Scyllarus a bunch of LR, set up two pieces 'Lincoln-Log' style as a base and put a small fortune in LR rubble in there. 3 weeks later, he has quite a great little burrow, with 3 entrances (Well, 2 and a half...he uses one as a 'sneak attack' Sally Port to ambush ghost shrimp), but he usually keeps it mostly filled in.

I'll get some good pics once I clean away a small patch of brown algae that has bloomed on the wall.


-Ron

 

[catdoc]

I used a piece of 2 1/2 inch diam pvc with cap on one end and a 45 degree elbow at the doorway for a burrow. I placed it so I could see her entrance but she's done some rearranging and built a little privacy wall around her courtyard! She does use it although I see little divets here and there where she's explored the substrate.