Bark Mantis (Tarachodes sp.)

[Westley Price]

Nothing special, but just a few pictures of a very cool looking Bark Mantis I have been keeping.

I think it is Tarachodes sp. but because it is still juvenile, it is difficult to confirm.

Enjoy

[Mitton]

From the rat snake man to the bug man.

Very cool critters you keeping now, must be interesting observing their habits?

[Westley Price]

Make no mistake, I still miss my ratsnakes TERRIBLY, but legislation this side of the river is killing me. (looks like you might also be running into a bit of headache with Carpets soon being classed as invasive).

Bugs keep me busy...for now

All the bugs are actually very interesting, especially the mantids. Merciless killers! I would be terrified if they were the size of a Pitbull!!!!

[JJward7]

Wow dude i must say you having a Awesome Insect collection. hahahahaha yeah i would also be terrified if they where to get that big.

[RaD]

Hi Westley, could you post some pics of what you keep this guy in? and also what you feed, how often etc etc. I'm very interested in your experience.

[Blet]

Wow, took photos of one in Paarl on a Wild Olive just yesterday! Very cool animals.

[Westley Price]

Hey RaD

To be honest, I keep them very simply. I have a tall plastic tub, I would guess roughly 20cm tall. I line the bottom with kombuis towel, place a few guava branches in and Bob's your uncle!

I use the lid of an old jar as a feeder dish and I simply chuck feeders in there and leave them be. Feeders can be pretty much anything that moves, but I use small mealworms and darkling beetles.

I spray them once every few days making sure to spray the substrate and not directly on the mantids.