The Complete Guide to Keeping Chinese Mantises as Pets

The Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) is one of the most popular species of praying mantis kept as a pet. Native to China and other parts of Asia, this species has been introduced to many other regions, including the UK and North America. It is known for its impressive size, striking appearance, and engaging hunting behaviour.

This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping, feeding, and breeding the Chinese mantis to ensure proper care and a healthy lifespan.

Why Keep a Chinese Mantis?

Keeping a Chinese mantis as a pet can be a rewarding experience. These insects are known for their interesting behaviour and ease of care.

• They require minimal maintenance compared to mammals or reptiles.
• Their hunting and feeding habits are fascinating to observe.
• They do not need a large enclosure, making them ideal for small spaces.
• They are silent and odourless.
• They live for about a year, making them a short-term commitment.
• They are relatively easy to breed in captivity.

Choosing and Acquiring a Chinese Mantis

Chinese mantises can be purchased from insect breeders, exotic pet shops, or online suppliers.

When choosing a mantis:

• Look for an active individual with no deformities.
• Avoid mantises that appear weak or have trouble walking.
• Younger mantises, called nymphs, may be easier to raise as they adapt well to captivity.

Housing and Enclosure Setup

Providing the right enclosure is essential for a mantis’s health and well-being.

Enclosure Type

• A plastic or glass terrarium works well.
• The enclosure should be at least three times the height of the mantis to allow for moulting.
• A mesh lid or ventilation holes are important for airflow.

Enclosure Size

• A small plastic container is suitable for young mantises.
• An adult Chinese mantis needs an enclosure at least 30 centimetres tall and 20 centimetres wide.

Substrate

• Paper towels, coconut fibre, or sphagnum moss can be used.
• A light substrate helps maintain humidity and makes cleaning easier.

Climbing and Perching Areas

• Mantises need vertical sticks, mesh, or branches to climb and hang upside down for moulting.
• Artificial plants, twigs, and cork bark provide good perching spots.

Temperature and Humidity

• The ideal temperature is between 22°C and 28°C.
• A heat mat or heat lamp may be needed in colder months.
• Humidity should be maintained between 50% and 70%.
• Misting the enclosure lightly every few days helps maintain humidity.

Lighting

• Mantises do not require special lighting, but natural daylight or a low-wattage LED light can be used.
• Avoid placing the enclosure in direct sunlight to prevent overheating.

Feeding and Nutrition

Chinese mantises are carnivorous and require a diet of live insects.

Suitable Prey

• Fruit flies and small crickets for nymphs.
• Houseflies, roaches, and moths for juveniles.
• Larger crickets, locusts, and butterflies for adults.

Feeding Frequency

• Nymphs should be fed daily or every other day.
• Juveniles should be fed every two to three days.
• Adults can be fed twice a week.

Feeding Tips

• Only offer live prey, as mantises rely on movement to detect food.
• Do not leave uneaten prey in the enclosure for too long, as crickets and roaches may harm the mantis.
• Gut-loading feeder insects with nutritious food will ensure a healthier diet.

Water and Hydration

• Mantises do not drink from standing water.
• Misting the enclosure lightly allows them to drink from water droplets.

Handling a Chinese Mantis

Chinese mantises can be handled gently, but they should not be overhandled.

• Allow the mantis to walk onto your hand rather than grabbing it.
• Be careful when handling newly moulted mantises, as they are soft and vulnerable.
• Avoid handling them too frequently to reduce stress.

Moulting and Growth

Mantises grow by moulting their exoskeleton, a process known as ecdysis.

Moulting Stages

• The Chinese mantis goes through six to nine moults before reaching adulthood.
• Each stage between moults is called an instar.
• The final moult reveals fully developed wings in adults.

Signs of an Upcoming Moult

• The mantis may refuse food for a few days.
• It may hang upside down more often.
• Its exoskeleton may appear dull or swollen.

After Moulting

• Do not disturb the mantis immediately after moulting.
• Ensure that humidity is adequate to prevent drying out.
• Avoid feeding for 24 hours while the exoskeleton hardens.

Breeding Chinese Mantises

Breeding Chinese mantises is relatively easy, but careful planning is needed to prevent cannibalism.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male to the female in a spacious enclosure.
• Feed the female well before introducing the male to reduce the risk of her attacking him.
• Observe their behaviour carefully. If the female is aggressive, remove the male immediately.

Egg-Laying

• After mating, the female will produce an ootheca, a foam-like egg case.
• The ootheca should be kept in a well-ventilated container at a temperature between 22°C and 26°C.
• Eggs take four to six weeks to hatch, depending on temperature.

Hatchling Care

• Newly hatched nymphs are tiny and should be fed fruit flies or small springtails.
• Keep hatchlings in separate enclosures or provide plenty of space to reduce cannibalism.

Common Health Issues

Dehydration

• Signs include a shrivelled body and lethargy.
• Increase misting to maintain proper humidity.

Failed Moulting

• Often caused by low humidity or an inadequate climbing surface.
• Ensure the mantis has enough space and humidity before moulting.

Malnutrition

• Can occur if the diet lacks variety.
• Provide a mix of different feeder insects for balanced nutrition.

Injury or Limb Loss

• Mantises can regenerate lost legs over multiple moults if they are still in the nymph stage.
• Avoid handling mantises roughly to prevent injury.

Ethical Considerations

• Chinese mantises are predatory insects and should be kept in conditions that allow them to express natural behaviours.
• If you can no longer care for your mantis, do not release it into the wild, as it could impact local ecosystems.

Legal Considerations in the UK

• Chinese mantises are legal to own and breed in the UK.
• There are no special permits required, but they should never be released into the wild.
• If importing eggs or live mantises, ensure compliance with UK wildlife and biosecurity laws.

Final Thoughts

The Chinese mantis is a fascinating and rewarding pet, perfect for insect enthusiasts looking for an interactive and relatively low-maintenance companion. By providing a suitable enclosure, a varied diet, and proper environmental conditions, you can enjoy watching the natural behaviours of this incredible insect throughout its life cycle.