![]() However, it should be safe to use a heat lamp in a full-size mantis enclosure. To prevent potential overheating, avoid using heat sources with mantis nymphs. It’s best practice to provide a temperature gradient within the enclosure so they can self-regulate their body temperature according to their needs and preference. Keep track of the temperatures inside your enclosure with a digital thermometer like the Zoo Med Digital Thermometer & Humidity Gauge, with the probe placed in the middle. Avoid temperatures above 88☏ and below 50☏. ![]() What temperatures do Chinese mantises need?Ĭhinese mantises usually do well between 70-80☏, so they can be kept at room temperature. However, if it is being kept in a dark room, then the terrarium will need its own lighting equipment. Ĭhinese mantises are highly cannibalistic, so they should NEVER be housed together! Do Chinese mantises need special lighting?Īs long as the mantis’ enclosure is in a room that receives ~12 hours/day of artificial or bright natural light, then additional lighting equipment is unlikely to be necessary. Adults and subadults should be housed in a Kritter Keeper, terrarium, or mesh box measuring at least 8”L x 8”W x 12”H, such as the Exo Terra Mini Wide Terrarium. 32oz deli cups with fabric vented lids often work well for juveniles. The general rule with housing praying mantises is that the enclosure length and width should be at least twice that of the mantis, and the height should be at least three times the mantis’ length. Total lifespan is 8-12 months, depending on sex. For this reason it’s best to buy a pet Chinese mantis as an adult or subadult. Coloring is brown to green, with brown individuals having their forewings lined with green.Ĭhinese mantises are very popular as pets, and the adults are fairly easy to care for, although the nymphs can be difficult to keep alive. ![]() They are fairly large for praying mantises, and average around 4” long. However, this species has been introduced to the United States, and because of their popularity as a form of pest control, Chinese mantises can be found in most parts of the US, particularly in the East.Ĭhinese mantises have a fairly typical praying mantis appearance with a long, sticklike body, large eyes, a triangular head, long thin antennae, a slender abdomen, long thin legs, and serrated forelimbs. The Chinese mantis ( Tenodera sinensis ) is a medium-large, diurnal, carnivorous invertebrate native to east and southeast Asia.
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