How to Keep a Praying Mantis as a Pet

By Larry Parr

Instructions

Step 1:
Select a Critter Keeper cage that is at least 9 inches tall. The cage should have plenty of screened windows so that you can easily view your captive Mantis. Do not get a cage that is excessively large as this will make it more difficult for your Mantis to catch its food. The habitat for your Mantis must have relatively fine-mesh screen on it that will allow plenty of air and light in to your pet but which will prevent your pet (and any of its insect food) from escaping.
Step 2:
Cut 2 or 3 twigs that are approximately 1 inch shorter than the height of your cage. Leaving a few leaves on your twigs is O.K. Set the twigs in the cage so that your mantis can climb them.
Step 3:
Introduce your Mantis to its new habitat. A Mantis will not bite you so you may put your Mantis into its new habitat by hand, but do be aware that your Mantis can jump. For this reason it is best to make the transfer in an area where your mantis can be easily retrieved should it leap away before the cage is closed.
Step 4:
Place your Mantis habitat in indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight could result in your Mantis becoming overheated and dying. Your Mantis does not require a water bowl. Instead, spray the inside of your Mantis habitat from a small spray bottle of water every other day or so.
Step 5:
Know that feeding your Mantis can be a full-time job! Your Mantis will eat a surprising number of insects. Crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers and almost any insect with a soft body will make an excellent meal for your pet. Drop live insects into the cage; your Mantis enjoys catching its own food. Do not place another Mantis into the cage except for very brief periods during mating as Mantises are not social creatures and one will eat the other.

Tips & Warnings

Too much direct sunlight could kill your mantis.
Never keep two or more Praying Mantid in the same cage as they will eat each other.

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