Japanese Giant Mantis

Tenodera aridifolia

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, adaptable Asian mantis very close in care to its famous relative the Chinese mantis. Keep at 70-80°F (avoid heat above ~88°F) with 50-65% humidity from a daily light mist, in a tall, well-ventilated enclosure with a rough ceiling for molting and empty headroom at least twice the mantis's length. Not a picky feeder — flies, crickets, and small roaches all work. Cannibalistic; house individually; harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusTenodera

Native regionEast and Southeast Asia

TypeArboreal

Temperamentactive, hardy; cannibalistic

Size & growth

Adult size2.5-4 inches

Length65.00–100.00 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 sizeflies, crickets, roaches

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0