Mantis Colour Changes?

[DannyLeigh]

Although I have only kept a few mantids, when they shed, I have noticed that if the humidity is higher than normal, mantids change coulour, usually to green. But when humidity is lower than normal, they tend to go brown. I was wondering if this is just a coincidence or if anyone else has experience of this.

My theory is that if it is less humid, leaves are likely to be dying (brown) and if it is more humid, leaves will most likely be green, so they change colour depending on whether it is a dry or wet 'season'. This is just my idea, does anyone else know about this or have any experience with this?

Thanks for reading,
Dan.

[lynneowen1]

Interesting however i only keep orchids so no help ...Doh!

[DannyLeigh]

Originally Posted by lynneowen1

Interesting however i only keep orchids so no help ...Doh!

Yeah, I've only really kept generic species, and I'm not sure if the more delicate species change colour.

[lynneowen1]

i do have a very pink orchid but they are all kept exactly the same cond....donno lol

[DannyLeigh]

Originally Posted by lynneowen1

i do have a very pink orchid but they are all kept exactly the same cond....donno lol

Maybe it's just a colour change that they go through, like some snakes, maybe it's just coincidental.

[lynneowen1]

well i have lots of orchids and she is the only pink one the rest are rather white.....
Not due to molt.
Sub adult.

[Sollytear]

Light, enviroment, and temp does affect colour. How depends on the species and indervidual

[macro junkie]

Originally Posted by DannyLeigh

Although I have only kept a few mantids, when they shed, I have noticed that if the humidity is higher than normal, mantids change coulour, usually to green. But when humidity is lower than normal, they tend to go brown. I was wondering if this is just a coincidence or if anyone else has experience of this.

My theory is that if it is less humid, leaves are likely to be dying (brown) and if it is more humid, leaves will most likely be green, so they change colour depending on whether it is a dry or wet 'season'. This is just my idea, does anyone else know about this or have any experience with this?

Thanks for reading,
Dan.

iv had 2 of the same species. 1 of them shed in a dry tub and 1 in a wet tub..after they both shed they looked identical..

Humidity has nothing do with with what colour the mantis will look after the final moult.

some say if u keep a mantis in a tub with higher humidity than another mantis in a dry tub it would be different colour but i havent seen this personally.

[Ozgi]

I have heard that humidity level when keeping an ooth will effect what colour the nymphs are.

[118-118]

I have 2 Phyllocrania Paradoxa's they are from the same ooth and have lived in the same tank their whole lives as this species don't need to be seperated (although someones going to argue other wise this is the 3rd set Iv had living together and no problems at all). I have a vary dark brown one, a lighter brown one and a really light greeny yellow one which looks an off white froma distance the colours that pale. Although your theory makes sense it hasnt had the same effect on these mantids.