Giant African Mantis

Sphodromantis lineola

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. Daytime 75-86F, cooler at night (not below ~63F). Mist lightly daily for drinking water and 50-70% humidity. Feed live prey no larger than its head; solitary and cannibalistic. Harmless to humans; adults live roughly 6-9 months.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusSphodromantis

Native regionWest & Central Africa

TypeArboreal

Temperamentbold

Size & growth

Adult size3-4 inches

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature75–86 °F

Humidity50–70%

Enclosure

Adult size6x6x10 inches (height = 3x body length)

Substratecoco fiber, light mist

Substrate depth1-2 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches, flies, locusts

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0