Giant Asian Mantis

Hierodula membranacea

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

A large, hardy beginner mantis. Enclosure height must be at least 3x the mantis's body length so it can molt hanging upside down. Feed live prey no bigger than its head; mist lightly. Solitary and cannibalistic. Harmless to humans; adults live roughly a year.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusHierodula

Native regionSouth & Southeast Asia

TypeArboreal

Temperamentbold

Size & growth

Adult size3-4 inches

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature72–86 °F

Humidity50–70%

Enclosure

Adult size8x8x12 inches (height = 3x body length)

Substratecoco fiber, light mist

Substrate depth1-2 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeappropriately sized flies, crickets, roaches

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0 · Unverified community entry