Praying mantis on a branch in a tall ventilated enclosure

Miscellaneous · Care guide

Praying Mantis Care Guide

Mantodea

Fascinating insects that need little space: a tall ventilated enclosure, mild supplementary heat, careful humidity that dries between sprays, and live insects a few times a week. Species differ — confirm details for your mantis when you buy.

At a glance

Quick facts

Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.

  • Enclosure

    8×8×12″

    Most species · arboreal

  • Temp span

    68–86 °F

    20–30 °C · by species

  • Humidity

    40–80%

    Species table · dry between

  • Diet

    Live insects

    2–3× / week · Nutrobal

01 · Housing

Enclosure & housing

Tall, ventilated arboreal housing with height for shedding, humid substrate, a climbing branch, and a heat mat on the outside back or side.

Most species · typical size

8″ W × 8″ D × 12″ H

Ventilated glass tank (plastic or acrylic also fine). Arboreal design — more height than width. Aim for height about three times body length for comfortable shedding.

Decor & setup

  • Twig or branch for climbing and interest
  • Heat mat on the outside back or side
  • Good ventilation — especially homemade enclosures
  • Mini bioactive setups work well
  • No UV lighting required

Substrate

  • Humidity-retaining base
  • Coir brick, moss and leaf litter work well
  • Must dry out between mistings

Sizing as they grow

  • Start smaller — upgrade as they moult
  • Too large too soon makes finding food difficult
  • Ask the team when to size up

Housing diagram

Enclosure example

Front view 8″ × 12″ (depth 8″) · arboreal · heat mat on back/side · branch · humid substrate · height for shedding

Example praying mantis terrarium front view at 8 inches wide by 12 inches tall Front elevation of a typical adult praying mantis enclosure at 8 by 12 inch proportions with 8 inch depth. Arboreal design with more height than width for shedding. A heat mat sits on the outside back or side on a mat-stat. Humidity-retentive coir, moss and leaf litter on the floor, and a twig or branch for climbing. Prefer smaller enclosures for young animals and size up as they moult. Ventilation is essential. No UV lighting. MOST SPECIES · FRONT 2:3 8″ W × 8″ D × 12″ H MESH LID · VENTILATED HEAT MAT 12″ tall 8″ wide · depth 8″ HEIGHT 3× body for shedding Heat mat Twig / branch Coir · moss · leaf litter WARM / MAT
  • Most species — 8″ × 8″ × 12″ ventilated glass (plastic / acrylic OK)
  • Height — about 3× body length for comfortable shedding
  • Heat mat — outside back or side on a mat-stat
  • Climbing — twig or branch for interest and hang-sheds
  • Substrate — coir brick, moss and leaf litter
  • Start small — upgrade as they moult; too large makes hunting hard

Setup diagram

Heat mat & thermostat

Mat on outside back or side · mat-stat · species band ~68–86 °F (20–30 °C)

Praying mantis heat mat and mat-stat placement Diagram of a tall praying mantis terrarium with a heat mat on the outside back or side attached to a mat-stat. Supplementary heat is required. Popular species span about 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 30 Celsius). Cooler forms about 68 to 75 Fahrenheit; warmer forms up to about 75 to 86 Fahrenheit. A heat bulb on a dimming thermostat can work but may overpower small enclosures. MESH · VENT HEAT MAT Warm side mat-stat zone Ambient away from mat MAT STAT 68–86 °F 20–30 °C span Cooler · 68–75 °F Warmer · 75–86 °F pick species band Supplementary heat required Too cool slows metabolism and shortens lifespan Prefer heat mat for small tanks · set mat-stat to your species’ °F band
  • Mat — outside back or side of the enclosure
  • Control — mat-stat set to your species’ band
  • Span — about 68–86 °F (20–30 °C) across popular forms
  • Bulb option — dimming thermostat possible; may overpower small tanks

02 · Climate

Temperature, humidity & ventilation

Supplementary heat for tropical origins, species humidity bands from the guide below, careful dry-out between sprays, and fresh air — heat mat preferred; no UV.

Temperature — use your species’ range

Most mantids originate from warmer climates such as Africa, South America and Asia, so typical UK room temperatures alone are not adequate. They need supplementary heating to flourish. Across popular store species, daytime targets span roughly 68–86 °F (20–30 °C) — set the mat-stat to the band for your species in the guide below. Temperatures that are too low lead to slower metabolism, slow digestion and a shorter lifespan.

  • Preferred: heat mat outside back or side + mat-stat
  • Alternative: heat bulb + dimming thermostat (may overpower small tanks)
  • Examples: cooler spp. ~68–75 °F (20–24 °C) · warmer spp. up to ~75–86 °F (24–30 °C)

Heat

  • Supplementary heat required for most species
  • Mat on outside back or side + mat-stat
  • Too cool → slow metabolism and shorter life

Humidity & air

  • Species bands from ~40% up to ~80%
  • Majority: one spray a day, preferably evening
  • Dry out between mistings
  • No stagnant air · good ventilation essential

Climate diagram

Spray, dry-out & ventilation

Majority: one evening spray · dry between mistings · ventilated · treated water only

Praying mantis evening spray and dry-out humidity cycle Three-panel diagram. Left: one spray a day for most mantids, preferably in the evening. Centre: allow the enclosure to dry out between mistings — constant high humidity and stagnant air are not tolerated. Right: treated water only — Reptisafe or bottled, never tap water. Adequate ventilation is essential, especially in homemade setups. 1 · EVENING One spray / day Preferably evening Majority of species 2 · DRY OUT Dry between No constant wet No stagnant air 3 · WATER Safe Treated only Reptisafe / bottled Never tap water Some species daily · others every few days · adjust by species and life stage
  • Majority — one spray a day, preferably in the evening
  • Dry between mistings — constant high humidity is not tolerated
  • Ventilation — essential; stagnant air is harmful
  • Water — Reptisafe or bottled only; never tap

Spray routine

  • Some species need daily spraying; others every few days
  • On the whole, one spray a day in the evening is adequate
  • Match spray frequency to your species’ humidity band and life stage
  • All water treated with a dechlorinator such as Reptisafe, or bottled water — never tap

02b · Popular species

Species climate & size guide

General guide for popular forms we keep in store — use the temperature and humidity band for your species on the mat-stat and spray routine. Adult body size helps plan enclosure height (about 3× body length).

  • Africa 8 forms
  • Asia 11 forms
  • S. America 1 form

°F primary with °C in parentheses. Ranges are general guides — confirm the form you buy with our team if unsure. Always allow humidity to dry out between mistings.

Africa 8 species

  • African Twig

    Popasporca sp.

    2.5–3.5″
    Temp
    68–75 °F
    20–24 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Marbles

    Polyspilota sp.

    3–4″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Cat Eyed

    Heterochaeta sp.

    5–6″
    Temp
    68–75 °F
    20–24 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • African Lined

    Sphodromantis sp.

    2.5–3.5″
    Temp
    72–86 °F
    22–30 °C
    Humidity
    50–60%
    Dry between sprays

  • Ghost

    Phyllocrania sp.

    1.5–3″
    Temp
    68–75 °F
    20–24 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Cryptic

    Sibylla sp.

    2–3″
    Temp
    75–86 °F
    24–30 °C
    Humidity
    50–70%
    Dry between sprays

  • Bud Wing

    Paraphendale sp.

    2–4″
    Temp
    75–82 °F
    24–28 °C
    Humidity
    50–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • African

    Sphodromantis sp.

    3–4″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    40–60%
    Dry between sprays
Asia 11 species

  • Orchid

    Hymenopus sp.

    1–3″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Dead Leaf

    Deroplatys sp.

    2–4″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Indian Flower

    Creobroter sp.

    1–2″
    Temp
    75–86 °F
    24–30 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Malay Flower

    Crebroter sp.

    3–4″
    Temp
    77–82 °F
    25–28 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Vietnam Dead Leaf

    Uroplatys sp.

    2–3″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Asian Dead Leaf

    Deroplatys sp.

    3–4″
    Temp
    75–86 °F
    24–30 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Giant Asian (Indo China)

    Hierodula sp.

    3–4″
    Temp
    75–82 °F
    24–28 °C
    Humidity
    50–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Chinese

    Tenodera sp.

    3–5″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    50–60%
    Dry between sprays

  • Yunnan Flower

    Creoboter sp.

    1–1.5″
    Temp
    68–75 °F
    20–24 °C
    Humidity
    60–70%
    Dry between sprays

  • Jewelled Flower

    Creoboter sp.

    1–1.5″
    Temp
    68–75 °F
    20–24 °C
    Humidity
    60–80%
    Dry between sprays

  • Harabiro

    Hierodula sp.

    2–3″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    40–70%
    Dry between sprays
South America 1 species

  • Dead Leaf

    Uroplatys sp.

    2–4″
    Temp
    72–82 °F
    22–28 °C
    Humidity
    70–80%
    Dry between sprays

03 · Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Live crickets or hoppers a few times a week, sized to the mantis, with weekly calcium/vitamin dust.

At a glance

Feeding cheat sheet

Prey
Appropriately sized crickets or hoppers
Frequency
About 2–3 times a week
Per feed
Two smaller items or one larger prey — they take large food for their size
Supplement
Nutrobal once a week, or store vitamin mix at every meal if used for omnivores

Livefood

Main diet

  • Crickets sized to the mantis
  • Hoppers as an alternative
  • Quite large prey OK for their size

Supplements

Dusting

  • Nutrobal once a week
  • Or vitamin mix every meal if already used for omnivores

04 · Behaviour

Handling & behaviour

Very delicate insects — handle only with care and never drop them.

  1. Care

    Delicate insects

    Mantids are very delicate. Be careful when you take them out to handle them.

  2. Warning

    Do not drop them

    Falls can injure or kill these light-bodied insects. Support the body and keep handling short.

  3. Hygiene

    Wash hands

    Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling.

  4. Warning

    No aerosols

    No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can be harmful.

05 · Welfare

Health & welfare

Height for shedding, correct mild heat, dry-out humidity, safe water, and careful handling keep mantids thriving.

Best prevention: good husbandry

Tall ventilated housing with height about three times body length, a heat mat on a mat-stat at the species target, evening spray that dries between mistings, sized live insects with weekly Nutrobal, and gentle handling keep praying mantises healthy with very little daily work.

Questions

FAQ

What size enclosure does a praying mantis need?

For most species we use a ventilated 8″ × 8″ × 12″ high glass tank; plastic and acrylic arboreal enclosures also work. Height matters more than width — aim for enclosure height about three times the length of the mantis so they can shed comfortably. Adult body sizes in the species guide range from about 1″ to 6″ (e.g. flower mantids vs Cat Eyed), so taller setups suit larger species. Start smaller for young animals and upgrade as they moult; an enclosure that is too large makes finding food difficult. Mini bioactive setups are also suitable.

How do I heat a praying mantis setup?

Most mantids come from warmer climates (Africa, South America, Asia), so room temperature alone is not enough. Fit a heat mat on the outside of the tank along the back or side, connected to a mat-stat, and set it to your species’ range from the popular species guide (overall about 68–86 °F / 20–30 °C depending on species). A heat bulb on a dimming thermostat can work but may overpower smaller enclosures. Temperatures that are too low slow metabolism and digestion and shorten lifespan.

What humidity does my mantis need?

Humidity is species-specific — see the popular species guide (ranges from about 40–60% for some African and Chinese forms up to 70–80% for many dead-leaf and twig types). The majority still do best with one spray a day, preferably in the evening, and must dry out between mistings. They cannot tolerate constant high humidity or stagnant air. Homemade enclosures need good ventilation. Always use treated water (e.g. Reptisafe) or bottled water — never tap water.

What do praying mantises eat?

Feed appropriately sized crickets or hoppers about two to three times a week. They can take quite large prey for their size — two smaller items or one larger item per feed. Dust with Nutrobal once a week, or use the store vitamin mix at every meal if you already use it for omnivores.

Can I handle a praying mantis?

Handle with great care — mantids are very delicate insects. Do not drop them. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling. Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.

Next steps

Ready to set up your Praying Mantis?

Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.

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