Female praying mantis can lay eggs without mating. This can have a number of impacts, particularly if you’re keeping them as pets. The crucial thing to realize here is that while an unmated female praying mantis may lay eggs, they will be infertile. Praying mantis, apart from a small number of more unusual species, are …
It is possible to cross breed tarantulas, but this is very much frowned upon within the tarantula keeping community. Cross breeding is generally only possible between closely-related species. The reproductive organs of tarantulas vary quite significantly in design. Furthermore, different species of tarantula have varying mating dances/calls. Therefore a distantly-related male may not be able …
Leaf insects can be surprisingly expensive pets to buy due to their ongoing rarity in the hobby. They’re also quite short-lived, rarely living for more than a year between hatching and death. This means that breeding leaf insects should be considered a vital part of keeping these stunning insects. Done properly, you will soon be …
I previously wrote about achieving a lifelong dream by purchasing some Giant Madagascan Day Geckos (Phelsuma grandis). I also mentioned that I’d been lucky enough to land an adult breeding pair of these incredible little lizards. I’m thrilled to report that I have now successfully bred this species. In this article I want to discuss …
For those in the know, tarantulas can be sexed from their skins from quite an early age. The moulted skin is turned inside out and the reproductive linings which are shed as part of the moult are examined under a microscope. With practise one can sex tarantulas from when they are only a few centimetres …
Breeding praying mantis is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable parts of keeping these amazing insects – yet it can also be one of the single most stressful experiences of your life! As you will no doubt be aware, female praying mantids have a nasty habit of eating the male either before, during or …
If you’ve ever bred praying mantis then you’ll no doubt have seen their egg cases or oothecae as they’re often referred to. Female praying mantis lay numerous eggs together in one single neat little package, then produce a “shaving-foam” type of substance which they cover the eggs in. After a short while this “foam” dries …
Whether you’re planning to breed leopard geckos, bearded dragons, ball pythons or other reptiles, the one crucial piece of kit that you’re going to need is a reptile incubator. At the same time you’ll want to make sure that you’re choosing the best possible incubator. After all, reptile forums are rife with stories of reptile …
If you have a collection of exotic pets then there is a good chance that you get through a lot of live food each week. Whether that’s mealworms, locusts or fruit flies the fact is that crickets are not only the easiest of all the feeder insects to breed but are available in a wide …
