The stick insect nursery is completed!
About a month ago I started a project to create a stick insect nursery using an old shelving unit of mine. The unit consists of twelve blocks (15 x 15 x 15cm), their size is ideal for the first two to three months of an
Extatosoma Tiaratum nymph's life. I set to work waterproofing each cubicle and ensuring there was a mesh roof to be used for moulting while my father sorted out the backboard and the door frame, my mother sewed together some mesh I had to create the front of the door (to allow superb ventilation, required by this species). After a few long breaks, some hammering, some tacking, some untacking and the death of both Creeper and my grandfather (rest in peace, sir) the nursery was completed. I decided to use ten of the twelve blocks as housing and the other two shall be used for storage.
The following photos show how much effort has been put into it, they were also taken using my grandfather's camera -- something I was graciously given and am still learning how to use.
I decorated the frame with some ivy sprigs I had, random fake vines are commonplace in my room and I think they work well. I love how the mesh door is nearly invisible.
The back board was nailed into place and I ran aquarium sealant around the bottom edges to prevent water seepage and draughts. Everything else in this enclosure that needed to be affixed has been done so with aquarium sealant as, unlike super glue (which can kill insects), once cured it is completely inert and devoid of fumes. It also can withstand being wet (funnily enough, being aquarium silicone).
I attached individual water pots to the bottom of each cubicle for stability, they are easy to open and close (even with my crappy hands) and water can be added/removed using a turkey baster. I cut a vivarium vine into sections and siliconed this to the back of each cubicle to offer an alternative route to the roof of the enclosure for when food plants are removed and replaced.
A close up of the mesh roof in each cubicle. This will provide a fantastic place to moult.
I can't describe how happy I am to see this unit back on my wall, I can finally start tidying up all the pots, pipettes, tweezers and other things I have put by for when Terra's eggs start hatching. This whole thing was a wonderful team effort and I am extremely grateful to both my parents for their help and support.