African Twig Mantis

Popa spurca

MantisintermediateHarmless

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

A slender, brown twig-mimic mantis from warm African scrub and woodland. Wants warmth (77-86°F), only moderate humidity (40-60%), and light misting — it is prone to problems if kept too damp, so err on the drier side and ventilate well. Furnish with vertical twigs and bark for it to stretch out along and disappear. An eager feeder on flies, crickets, roaches, and moths. House individually (nymphs may be communal early on if well fed); harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusPopa

Native regionCentral and East Africa

TypeArboreal

Temperamentcryptic, slow twig mimic; aggressive feeder

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale ~2.5 in, male ~2 in

Length50.00–65.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature75–86 °F

Humidity40–60%

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 sizeflies, crickets, roaches

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0