r/InvertPets • u/Odd_Lengthiness5539 • 11d ago

any recommendayions for how I can set up an enclosure?

I bought hornworms and they just showed up today, I've got a small fishtank (2.5 gal) I am fully intending to keep them in. I'll be fashioning my own mesh lid for it, but does anyone have any suggestions for how I should set up the enclosure? Right now I just have a paper towel at the bottom to catch their droppings, and a Tupperware lid for their food. Am I safe to bring things in from outside as long as I wash them thoroughly? First time hornworm owner (or caterpillar owner in general) so please be kind! I have no idea what I'm doing but I have a guide I'm following for caring for them. Enclosure is the only thing im stumped on

Edit to add - PLEASE feel free to overexplain. I'd rather have too much information than not enough.

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u/Sagetheswaggydino 10d ago

What food are you feeding them? If feeding leaves, I’ve found the best method is to fill a jar of water, cut the stems and poke them into the water, then seal the water tight so that they cannot fall in. This keeps leaves fresher. I also like to cut stems instead of individual leaves, it gives them something to climb and keeps food fresher for longer.
Your setup does sound good so far :) If feeding them the chow that comes with a lot of hornworm containers, i personally don’t know much about feeding chow but u/ Digitalbird06 has a really good setup for that on their profile.
Decorations are fine, though cats are more focused on their food than anything else lol. They may appreciate sticks to climb though. If you want to be safe, wash thoroughly.

If they are close to pupation, they will need a container full of coco coir, peat, or additive free soil.

I hope all goes well for your little guys :)

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u/Odd_Lengthiness5539 10d ago

Imm feeding them hornworm food that you can buy online, and for right now bed re that arrives they've had what was left in their container,and a few slices of tomato (I'm not planning on feeding these to anything, don't worry). Right now the tank is literally empty aside from the food dish I've been using. Anny suggestions for what plants I should put in? I can't a tomato plant this time of year where I live unfortunately

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u/Sagetheswaggydino 10d ago

If you have tobacco hornworm (i’m assuming that’s the species, they are most commonly sold online) they eat plants in the nightshade family, so tobacco, eggplants, potato, peppers etc. Though, if you wanted to keep them feeding on the chow, they usually won’t wanna switch back after they have tasted host leaves. Caterpillars don’t really need enrichment (their main focus in life is eating lol) so extra decorations isn’t mandatory.

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u/Odd_Lengthiness5539 9d ago

They seem to be going back on the chow fine after having some tomato fruit, and one of them has actually been climbing the cup I have in there to hold the food :] One of them is very sassy, it's honestly so cool that I can already pick out their individual personalities.i know a lot of people say bugs don't have personalities but these guys really do

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u/Sagetheswaggydino 9d ago

Aww glad they switched alright :) They really do have little personalities lol, i’ve definitely noticed that in some of mine. I currently have my own hornworm who’s a big pig and keeps stealing the little guys food even when he has his own food lol. They do love to climb and do seek out height sometimes when they want to moult

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u/Odd_Lengthiness5539 9d ago

They've honestly been an absolute delight as my first real attempt at raising caterpillars (I tried woolly bears recently but they unfortunately didn't wake up from overwintering). I'm still thinking of names for the other three, the biggest one I've named Jet. One is. Dubiously not alive anymore, I only discovered it today and I don't think I've seen it move even once. They definitely like going on a climb around the cup!

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u/Sagetheswaggydino 9d ago

Aww they look so happy :) I love the little plate for them lol. The one that died was probably sick before you got him, but monitor the others in case whatever he had was contagious. Jet is a cute name :)