Things You'll Need:
- Large (42-oz.) empty oatmeal carton (cylindrical)
- X-acto knife
- Scissors
- Plastic or wire mesh
- Glue
- Twigs for the mantis to climb on
- Dried leaves
- (Alternatively, a plastic Critter Cage)
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Step 1
Cut "windows" in the sides of a 42-oz. oatmeal carton using an X-acto knife. Cut out sections of the cardboard sides so that you can see all the way through your carton, leaving plenty of cardboard to maintain structural integrity. You are, in effect, cutting two windows into the sides of your carton.
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Step 2
Cut fine mesh (plastic or metal) with scissors into pieces 1/4-inch larger than the holes you have cut into the cardboard oatmeal container. Remove the cardboard top of the container and glue the pieces of mesh to the inside of the cylinder so they form screens over the "windows" you have cut in the carton. Allow to dry.
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Step 3
Find a couple of nice twigs that are about an inch shorter than the height of your oatmeal-container habitat and place them into the container. Place a couple of dried leaves on the bottom of the container.
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Step 4
Introduce your praying mantis to its new habitat. Keep in mind that your mantis can jump, so introduce your mantis to its habitat in an area where it can be easily recaptured if necessary.
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Step 5
Put the cardboard top back onto the habitat. Set your habitat in a location that receives plenty of indirect sunlight. (Leaving your mantis and its habitat in direct sunlight could result in overheating your mantis.) Your mantis doesn't require much water, but misting its habitat occasionally with water is an excellent idea.
