Chinese Mantis

Tenodera sinensis

MantisbeginnerHarmless

No venom, no sting

Mantises are harmless to humans. They have no venom or sting — the worst they can do is grip with their spined forelegs or deliver a startling but harmless nip.

About

The largest mantis in North America (introduced from East Asia and now widespread) and one of the easiest to keep — a great first mantis. Long, stick-like body reaching ~4 inches, with a hearty appetite and forgiving care: room temperature (70-85°F), moderate humidity (50-65%), and a daily light misting. Give it a tall, ventilated enclosure with something to hang from at the top for molting. Eats almost any appropriately sized feeder. House individually; cannibalistic. Harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusTenodera

Native regionNative to East Asia; widely naturalized in North America

TypeArboreal

Temperamenthardy, bold feeding response

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to 4 inches (~10 cm)

Length80.00–110.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature70–85 °F

Humidity50–65%

Enclosure

Adult size≥3x body length tall, 2x wide; well-ventilated

Substratecoco fiber or paper towel; light misting for humidity/drinking

Substrate depth1-2 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, flies, roaches, moths

Sling cadenceevery 1-2 days

Juvenile cadenceevery 2-3 days

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0