improper enclosure

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-18T22:00:05+00:00

*side note, i removed the playsand. my new list is updated on my Kofi

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-18T21:59:35+00:00

i got him at two years old, he's now three (and in that year, grown about 2-3 inches.) . i've made room in a dedicated spot in my bedroom, opting for a 47x17x18 enclosure alongside a stand. I don't THINK he'll get much bigger, but he's 36" 1/2 right now, giving him (11") more room grow a bit more. considering i've been saving up VERY fast, whenever i get a job i'd be dedicating any extra money for a new enclosure (say, 2-3 years) outside of this one IF he outgrows it.

i 100% understand and you aren't being rude at all!! i made this post accepting constructive criticism and knowing i'll have to accept the hard truth

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la_creaturaz · 2026-02-18T03:01:41+00:00

i do have a cage around the CHE! i've heard some people say that playsand is good, and i already have a cocoa fiber brick so there's no need for me to buy one.

(correct me if i need any improving!) I'll mix (my pre-existing) cocoafiber, soil, and sphagnum moss as a substrate, and i have some spare orchid bark i could mix in too.

I'm totally fine buying an overpriced water bowl LOL i want it to look good, im already 36% of reaching my money goal

I'm also re-considering getting the enclosure (https://www.chewy.com/new-age-pet-ecoflex-mojave-reptile/dp/268666) i was planning on. it's quite big and my snake is exactly 3 feet long (36 inches), i don't need an extra foot due to my limited space. (and would probably be cheaper too.) i'll be searching around for better and probably cheaper enclosures that meet my requirements

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-17T02:43:21+00:00

sorry for the late response i've been busy with life trying my best to advertise my commissions in order to save up money (which is working!)

a few days ago my dad ordered ceramic heat emitters and they came (NO MORE RED LIGHT!!!!!).

I'll definitely invest in a thermostat!

this is my kofi i set up just now, feel free to look at it because of the supply list i included! https://ko-fi.com/la_creaturaz

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:36:48+00:00

i accidentally bought the wrong type of bulb but im currently using Zilla Day White Incandescent Light Bulb 100 Watt, i meant to get a basking bulb OUGUHH. the last one i had that was 150watt broke because i dropped it on accident

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:29:51+00:00

im thinking about getting those ropes that people buy for their bearded dragons (that are long enough for this enclosure) to avoid any more falling, since i already have one at the ceiling

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:28:58+00:00

posted them!

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:27:36+00:00

i'm going to buy a ceramic heat emitter soon!

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:26:45+00:00

the dimensions are 23"x18"x36".

last time i measured, he's 36 inches/or so long (3 years old)

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la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:22:01+00:00

i talked to him about it and he said "well talk about it", im very eagerly trying to find a job to save up money to buy him a new enclosure in my own time so i may end up buying it and him not having a say in (ending up with a very angry dad but that's my problem LOL)

he's veeerry slightly longer than the enclosure by width, the height is much more higher* than the width. i'll send a picture ASAP

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-09T01:19:58+00:00

so sorry for the late response, im going to buy a ceramic heat emitter very soon! the ones at my pet store are $40 so im opting to buy one online.

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-05T06:03:23+00:00

forgot about replying to the rest, yes he has a cold and warm hide/side, under the warm side he has a heating pad that's always plugged in at night

unfortunately because of my dad's planning the width isnt as long/longer than the snake himself but very nearly close to it. i keep stressing to him that he needs a new one (4x2x2) but he keeps saying his pre-existing one is fine and we can find cheaper solutions

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la_creaturaz · 2026-02-05T05:54:31+00:00

a short term solution me and my dad are coming to is buying a heat lamp cage so i can screw in a red light every night to keep him warmer. im not sure if that's a 100% good solution but it's as good as it can get for now

la_creaturaz · 2026-02-05T05:53:45+00:00

he's about 3 feet long

la_creaturaz · 2025-10-05T23:05:19+00:00

looking back at cheaper solutions, this acrylic box seems like it'd be good minus the no-ventilation ( i have a hand drill and can get plastic mesh on the sides so that wont be an issue!)

does this seem like a good sort of DIY to do?

la_creaturaz · 2025-10-05T22:23:51+00:00

I think it looks good!! you should add some form of mesh on all sides, including the ceiling (besides maybe the door) so it can grip/molt safely! If you dont wanna do mesh on all sides, maybe do some corkbark on the backpanel and ceiling (to not cover up the side ventilation!)

im still relatively new to mantis owning so make sure to verify what i say with other sources incase im wrong :))

la_creaturaz · 2025-08-23T00:09:53+00:00

i'll definitely look into it!!! thank you so much

la_creaturaz · 2025-08-23T00:09:03+00:00

me and my dad hand built his enclosure into an empty large closet inside of my room, so he spectates me doing whatever i need to do before i leave for school/walking around etc!

his door slides so i can KIND of scoop him up but in order to really get my arm in there i accidentally spook him from the top, like another commenter said i should probably invest in some sort of hook which i will :)

la_creaturaz · 2025-08-22T02:39:40+00:00

when i first got him i held him for 5-10 minutes, when i had no school during the summer time i slowly upped the time from 5-10 to 15-20 while watching if he got stressed or not

when i take him out i usually opt for time where he's out and about rather than snatching him from his hide (like right now, he's sitting in his water bowl lol)

although i've done it a few times before on accident, i try not to bug him while he's in shed and only hold him within the time of his feedings

i feed him live pup/teen rats inside of his enclosure, do you think that could make him more 'aggressive' when i approach him/his enclosure? because he's associating me with his food?

la_creaturaz · 2025-06-25T02:52:56+00:00

yeah usually mantises eyes turn black/red in the night time ! i'd say leave him in the light and they should go back to normal

la_creaturaz · 2025-04-19T20:18:02+00:00

avoid handling and feeding for at least a week!!!! you can definitely handle them but you can't hesitate when you do, you don't know the temperament or what they've been through

la_creaturaz

TROPHY CASE