How to Care for a Praying Mantis?

mktpromeal
Oct 5
5 min read

Praying mantises are among the most fascinating insects you can keep as pets. With their unique appearance, prayer-like front legs, and lightning-fast hunting skills, they are both mysterious and captivating. Although their lifespan is short, their behaviors and natural beauty make them one of the most rewarding insects to observe.

This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about caring for a praying mantis, from setting up its enclosure to feeding, handling, and even understanding its behavior.

Housing & Enclosure

The enclosure is the most important part of mantis care. Unlike reptiles or mammals, mantises don’t need large cages, but the height of the enclosure is crucial. They need vertical space for climbing and especially for molting, which is the process of shedding their old skin.

Size: The enclosure should be at least 3 times the mantis’s body length in height and 2 times in width. For example, a 3-inch mantis needs a 9-inch tall container.
Ventilation: Good airflow is essential to prevent mold. A mesh lid or ventilated plastic/glass terrarium works best.
Substrate: A simple paper towel makes cleaning easy, but coconut fiber or soil can be used to maintain humidity. Avoid over-wet conditions, as mantises are prone to mold.
Decoration: Mantises love vertical branches, twigs, and live or artificial plants. These not only help them climb but also create a natural environment.

Key Tip: A cramped, short enclosure is one of the most common reasons for molting deaths in mantises.

Temperature & Humidity

Mantises are tropical or subtropical insects, so they need warm and humid conditions. The exact requirements depend on the species, but most mantises thrive under similar care.

Temperature: Maintain between 22–28°C (72–82°F). If you live in a cooler area, a small heat mat or lamp can help, but never overheat.
Humidity: Keep at 50–70%, though some exotic species like Orchid Mantis prefer slightly higher.
Water: Mantises don’t drink from bowls. Instead, mist the enclosure lightly once a day. They drink droplets from leaves and walls.

Over-misting can cause mold, which stresses your mantis. Use a hygrometer to monitor levels.

Feeding & Diet

Mantises are strictly carnivores and will only eat live food. Watching them hunt is one of the most exciting parts of keeping a mantis.

Food Choices: Hatchlings (nymphs) eat fruit flies and pinhead crickets. Juveniles and adults eat crickets, moths, flies, roaches, and mealworms.
Feeding Frequency:
- Nymphs: daily feeding.
- Juveniles: every 1–2 days.
- Adults: every 2–3 days.
Prey Size: The insect should be smaller than the mantis’s head. Large prey can injure or scare them.
Method: Drop prey inside or use feeding tongs. Mantises won’t eat dead insects, as they are natural hunters.

Do not leave uneaten insects in the enclosure. They may bite or disturb your mantis, especially during molting.

Molting (Shedding Skin)

Molting is the most delicate stage of a mantis’s life. They shed their exoskeleton several times before becoming adults.

Signs of Molt: They stop eating and may hang upside down for long periods.
During Molt: Do not touch or disturb them. Maintain slightly higher humidity to help them shed.
After Molt: Their body is soft and vulnerable for hours. Wait before offering food.

Many mantises die during molting due to poor humidity or lack of height in their enclosure. Providing the right setup ensures safer molts.

Cleaning & Hygiene

Mantises are tidy pets but still need a clean home.

Remove uneaten insects daily.
Wipe down walls and surfaces weekly.
Replace substrate every 2–3 weeks or if mold develops.
Avoid harsh chemicals — plain warm water is best.

Cleanliness reduces stress and prevents harmful bacteria.

Handling & Safety

Praying mantises are observation pets, not for cuddling. They are delicate and can be easily injured if mishandled.

Let the mantis crawl onto your hand instead of grabbing.
Handle them gently, preferably close to the ground in case they jump.
Never handle them right after molting — their bodies are too soft.
They don’t sting or bite, but may pinch lightly with their spiny front legs.

Admire them more than handling often. Their true beauty is in their natural behavior.

Behavior of Mantises

Understanding mantis behavior makes keeping them even more enjoyable.

Hunting: Mantises are ambush predators. They stay still, blend with surroundings, and strike lightning-fast when prey is close.
Vision: They have binocular 3D vision, giving them excellent depth perception. They even follow movements with their heads, which is rare in insects.
Temperament: Usually calm, but always solitary. They are not social and should never be kept together, as cannibalism is common.
Defensive Posture: When threatened, mantises spread their forelegs, display wings, and may sway side to side to look bigger.

Their behaviors make them not only fascinating pets but also great subjects for photography and study.

Breeding & Egg

Breeding mantises is for experienced keepers.

Females lay ootheca (egg cases), which can contain hundreds of eggs.
Eggs hatch after several weeks or months depending on species and temperature.
Caution: Female mantises are infamous for sexual cannibalism, sometimes eating the male after or during mating.

Lifespan Of Mantis

Praying mantises have a short life compared to other pets.

Most species live 6–12 months.
Males usually live shorter lives than females.
With proper care, they can live their full natural lifespan in captivity.

Role in Nature & Gardens

Mantises are more than exotic pets — they are important to ecosystems.

They eat pests such as moths, flies, and caterpillars.
Many gardeners attract mantises as a natural alternative to pesticides.
However, mantises don’t differentiate — they may also eat beneficial insects like bees.

Praying mantises are unique pets that combine elegance, mystery, and hunting power. They are easy to care for if given the right environment, humidity, and food. With their alien-like looks and fascinating behaviors, mantises are best suited for people who enjoy observing nature closely.

Whether you keep one as a pet or welcome them into your garden, a mantis will always add a touch of wonder to your world.

At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.

Our specialty is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.

Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!