[The picture is from pethelpful,the copyright belongs to the original author]

The mantis is an insect that helps people. Today, some people have extra time. They want to keep one or more mantises as pets. Pet mantises are very interesting. They are pretty and appealing. You cannot hold them like cats, but you do not need a litter box. Cage cleaning is easy and odor-free. Mantises seem cold, but with time they grow gentle. You can handle them softly.

The mantis is a meat-eating insect with a big body. It is usually green or brown. Some have spots. Its special trait is two "big blade" front legs. These legs have jagged edges and sticky tips. They catch prey easily. Mantises live in hot, warm and mild areas. They stay in flower beds, leaves or branches. They wait quietly to catch small flying bugs. Flies, mosquitoes and locusts are examples. They even catch big bugs like cicadas. Their life span is about 6 to 8 months. They have babies once a year. In winter, they hide eggs in bush branches. Each egg case holds 70 to 100 eggs.

Keeping mantises has many pluses. You can hold a mantis in your hand. It will not fly away. It eats less often, about once every three to five days. Care is very simple. Each mantis needs just one hour per week. Most mantises cannot have babies alone. They will not harm the environment. Mantises take very little space. They make no sound, so they are quiet. They have no poison. Some types can be used as medicine. The best part is when a mantis likes you. It will do a "mantis dance."

Good mantis types for beginners:

First is the Chinese big-headed mantis. This is the most common kind. It is quite big, up to 13 centimeters long. It looks strong and fierce. Its special mark is two green wing veins. Even with different colors, this green edge stays. Its stomach is strong. It does not need much moisture. It likes 30% to 40% moisture, except when shedding skin. Then it needs more. The price is low, about 5 to 10 yuan each.

Second is the African leaf mantis, also called the hiding leaf mantis. Its eyes are pink. Its body is small, about 7 centimeters long. Its colors are many: green, gray, pink, orange and more. They are pretty like camouflage. Its wings are small. They scare enemies but cannot fly. Its stomach is strong too. It suits beginners. The price is about 15 yuan.

Third is the dead leaf mantis. This is a very pretty mantis. Its wings look like dead leaves. It has high viewing value. There are three dead leaf mantis types: the hook-back, the diamond-back and the snake-type. The snake-type costs the most and is hardest to keep. It needs 50% to 60% moisture. The price is about 50 yuan.

Fourth is the broad-blade mantis. This mantis has a weaker stomach than the Chinese type. Mealworms are bad as main food. Its body is all green. Its tail curves up. Its size is medium. Adults grow about 10 centimeters long.

Last is the orchid mantis. This type has big sex differences. Adult females are 6 to 7 centimeters long. Males are just 2.5 centimeters long. Males are much smaller than females. Their walking legs look like flower petals. They are very pretty. Orchid mantises like 28°C best. They can handle 25°C to 35°C. Night temperature must be at least 18°C. To keep a female and male together, let the male grow slowly. Keep temperature near 18°C.

[The picture is from Drive-Bye Exterminators,the copyright belongs to the original author]

Care tips for mantises:

Food

Do not overfeed mantises. They can get stomach problems. They might die from too much food. Check their bellies to see if they are hungry. A flat, paper-like belly means hunger. Feed them right away. A slightly round belly is good. They can eat. A very round belly means they are full. Stop feeding.

I suggest cherry red roaches. They have lots of protein. They store and use easily. Red roaches hate smooth surfaces. They are easy to control. I put red roaches in a clear drink cup. I add a paper egg tray and oatmeal. Mantises can eat these from baby to adult. No food change is needed. Some people use fruit flies for convenience. But fruit flies escape easily. They run around the house.

When feeding, pick same-size red roaches. Put them in a box. Secure the box with a clip. Open the box and take out a roach with the clip. Bring it to the mantis's mouth. They will eat it. If the mantis refuses food with a flat belly, it may shed skin soon. If it still will not eat, try to tempt it. Cut a red roach in half. Put the juicy side near its mouth. It will usually eat.

Water

Mantises need water. Keep moisture between 50% and 70%. Baby mantises can drink water drops. Just spray some water. Older babies need a dropper. Place a small water drop near its mouth. Keep the drop there. When done drinking, it will push the dropper away. Keep your hand steady. Do not scare the mantis. It will be harder to feed next time. I prefer a small dropper. It is easier. No dropper? Use a chopstick to drip water. Feed and water every three to four days. Use boiled cool water. It has no germs or parasites.

[The picture is from Minibeast Wildlife,the copyright belongs to the original author]

Home

Keep the mantis home above 20°C. Moisture should be near 50%. Too much moisture causes mold. The mantis may get sick. I use clean wet gauze at the bottom. Change it when cleaning waste. The home height should be twice the mantis length. This helps shedding succeed. Put climbing tape or medical tape on top and one side. It helps shedding.

Health

A mantis poops daily, three to ten times. The poop is tiny, like shrimp eggs. It has no smell. With plants, use mantis poop as fertilizer. Clean their home every few days.

Shedding care

Shedding is the weakest time. Mantises will not eat the day before. They seem restless and upset. Once shedding starts, do not touch or bother them. Their skin is very soft. Any touch may cause trouble. Failed shedding can cause disability or death.

Injury care

A hurt mantis can heal by shedding skin, unless the hurt is deadly. If its front legs have problems and it cannot eat, hand-feed it. Use a clamp to offer small food bits. It may take over one hour. Do not quit. A hungry mantis will die.

Hatching

You can find mantis eggs in the countryside. They are somewhat hard to hatch. Put the eggs in a plastic cup. Fix them to gauze with a pin. Put wet moss at the bottom. Spray water daily to keep wet. One mantis egg hatches 50 to 200 babies.

Reproduction

Most mantises need mates to have babies. Adult mantises grow wings. The female makes a smell to call the male. Before mating, the female must eat until full. Then the male may survive. Putting two mantises together may not work. The female may be watchful and hate touch. Be careful. A scared male will still go to the female slowly. At first, feed the female some food. It helps her focus. If she will not eat, she may not want to mate. Wait for next time.

Reference:

[1] Pethelpful: “How to Care for a Pet Praying Mantis”

[2] Instructables: “How to Care for a Praying Mantis”