Praying mantises are one of the most popular insects to keep as pets. They are easy to care for and can be very interesting to watch. Praying mantises are carnivorous and will eat almost any small insect or spider.
They are also known for their ability to camouflage themselves against their surroundings, making them difficult to spot in the wild.
Praying mantis pets are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why! These amazing creatures are not only fascinating to watch, but they can also be very rewarding pets. Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about getting a praying mantis pet:
1. Praying mantises are predators, so they will need live food such as crickets or other small insects. If you’re squeamish about feeding live prey to your pet, then a praying mantis is probably not the right pet for you.
2. Praying mantises are escape artists, so you’ll need to keep them in a well-sealed enclosure.
A glass aquarium with a screened lid is ideal.
3. Praying mantises are delicate creatures and can easily be injured (or even killed) by rough handling. So, if you have young children or animals in the home, a praying mantis pet might not be the best choice.
4. Some people find the insect-like appearance of praying mantises to be creepy or off-putting. If this describes you, then again, a praying mantis is probably not the right pet for you!
If you’re still interested in getting a prayer mantis after considering all of these factors, then there’s good news: they can make great pets!
Just be sure to do your research beforehand and provide them with everything they need to thrive in captivity.

Credit: aquariumbreeder.com
Are Praying Mantis is Good Pets?
There are a few things to consider when thinking about keeping a praying mantis as a pet. Praying mantises are predators, so they will need live food to feed on. This means you will need to either grow your own live food or purchase it from a pet store.
Live food can include crickets, flies, and other small insects. You will also need to provide your mantis with a place to hide and climb, like a piece of bark or a small container with holes punched in the sides.
Praying mantises are relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things you should know before getting one.
First, praying mantises are not social insects and do not do well when kept with other animals, even other mantids. They are also capable of biting and their bites can be painful. Additionally, female mantids sometimes eat males after mating!
If you decide you still want a praying mantis as a pet, make sure to do your research first and get one from a reputable source.
How Long Does a Praying Mantis Live As a Pet?
Assuming you are referring to the common praying mantis, Mantis religiosa, they can live for approximately 1.5-2 years as a pet.
Mantises are generalist predators meaning they will feast on just about anything smaller than themselves including other insects, spiders, and even lizards and frogs. In the wild their diet revolves around what is readily available but as a pet owner you have the opportunity to be much more selective in what you feed your mantis.
A good variety of mantids’ diet should include: crickets, grasshoppers, Locusts, flies, small caterpillars and moth larvae. You can purchase most of these prey items from your local pet store or online retailers that specialize in selling insect food. If you choose to rear your own insects make sure that whatever housing you have set up for them does not also house pesticides or harmful chemicals as this will obviously be detrimental to your mantis’ health.
As long as you provide your pet mantis with the proper environmental conditions and feed them a nutritious diet they can easily live out their full lifespan while in captivity!
What Do Praying Mantis Pets Eat?
Praying mantis pets are carnivorous insects that primarily eat live prey. Commonly offered food items for pet mantises include crickets, flies, and other small insects. Some pet stores also sell special “mantis diet” foods that are designed to be an all-in-one food source for the insect.
Mantises will usually only eat what they can catch and kill themselves. This means that offering them pre-killed prey or larger prey items is generally not going to be successful. It is best to offer small, live insects as food for your pet mantis.
One thing to keep in mind is that mantises are predators and their hunting instinct is very strong. This means that they may view any other animals in their enclosure (including you!) as potential prey items. For this reason, it is important to handle your pet mantis with care and avoid getting bitten or stung.
Is It Cruel to Keep a Praying Mantis As a Pet?
There are a few things to consider before answering this question. For one, praying mantises are predators by nature. They use their powerful front legs to snatch up prey, which they then devour with their razor sharp mandibles.
So, if you’re considering keeping a mantis as a pet, be aware that it will need live food to survive – meaning you’ll have to provide it with insects or other small animals on a regular basis (which some people may find cruel). Additionally, mantises are not social creatures and do not do well when kept in captivity with other insects – so unless you’re prepared to house your mantis solo, you might want to reconsider.
Another thing to keep in mind is that mantises go through stages of metamorphosis (much like butterflies), and the nymph stage can last several months.
This means that your pet mantis will spend most of its time molting and growing, and won’t be particularly active during this period. Some people find this boring and prefer more high-energy pets.
So, is it cruel to keep a praying mantis as a pet?
It really depends on your perspective. If you’re comfortable providing live food for your pet and housing it solo, then go for it! But if you’re not sure you can handle the care requirements or find the molting process tedious, then perhaps a different type of pet would be better for you.
The Rise of My New Pet Mantis
Praying Mantis for Sale
Looking for a unique and interesting pet? Why not consider a praying mantis! These fascinating creatures are available for purchase at many pet stores and online retailers.
Praying mantises are carnivorous insects that can reach up to 6 inches in length. They have large, triangular heads with long, segmented bodies. Most species of praying mantis are brown or green, which helps them blend in with their natural surroundings.
Praying mantises are relatively easy to care for and make interesting pets. They can be kept in small cages or terrariums and will eat live insects such as crickets or flies. Mantises also require a source of water and should be misted daily.
If you’re looking for an unusual pet that is sure to turn heads, a praying mantis might be the perfect choice!
Pet Praying Mantis Lifespan
Praying mantises are one of the most popular pet insects. They’re easy to care for and make fascinating pets. But how long do praying mantises live?
The average lifespan of a pet praying mantis is about one year. However, some species can live up to three years in captivity. Praying mantises are relatively short-lived insects.
The main reason for this is their lifestyle. In the wild, praying mantises only live long enough to mate and lay eggs. Once they’ve done that, they die.
In captivity, however, praying mantises can live much longer since they don’t have to worry about predators or finding food. As long as you provide them with a suitable habitat and plenty of food, your pet mantis can enjoy a long and healthy life!
Praying Mantis Lifespan
Praying mantises are one of the most interesting insects in the world. They are known for their unique hunting style and their large, triangular heads. But did you know that praying mantises also have a very long lifespan?
Mantises can live up to two years in the wild, and even longer in captivity. In fact, the oldest recorded praying mantis lived to be almost 10 years old! That’s an incredibly long life for such a small creature.
So what allows these creatures to live so long? One theory is that it has to do with their diet. Praying mantises are predators, and they eat other insects.
This means that they consume a lot of protein, which is essential for a long life.
Another possibility is that their long lifespans are due to their ability to regenerate lost body parts. If a mantis loses a leg or an arm, it can grow back a new one within weeks!
This ability helps them survive injuries that would be fatal for other insects.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that praying mantises are some of the longest-lived insects around. So if you’re ever lucky enough to spot one of these fascinating creatures, take a moment to appreciate its incredible longevity!
Praying Mantis Pet Enclosure
Praying mantises are one of the most popular pet insects. They’re easy to care for and can be kept in a small space, making them ideal for people who live in apartments or other small homes. A praying mantis pet enclosure should be at least 10 gallons in size and have plenty of ventilation.
The enclosure should also have a layer of substrate, such as sand, gravel, or bark chips, that’s at least 2 inches deep. Plants or branches should be placed inside the enclosure for the mantis to climb on and hunt from.
Praying Mantis Pet Care
Praying mantises are one of the most popular insects to keep as pets. They are relatively easy to care for, and can provide hours of entertainment watching them stalk and capture prey. If you’re thinking about getting a praying mantis as a pet, there are a few things you need to know to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy.
Housing: Praying mantises can be kept in a variety of enclosures, from simple plastic tubs to more elaborate setups with plants and hiding places. The size of the enclosure will depend on the size of your mantis – generally, adult mantises should have at least 4-5 inches of horizontal space per side (larger is better). Juvenile mantises can be kept in smaller spaces, but will need to be moved to a larger enclosure as they grow.
The bottom of the enclosure should be lined with paper towels or another absorbent material to help keep it clean.
Food & Water: Praying mantises primarily eat live insects, so you’ll need to provide your pet with a regular supply of food. Smaller mantises can be fed crickets or other small insects, while larger ones will require bigger prey like locusts or grasshoppers.
It’s best to offer food items that are no bigger than the width of your mantis’ head, as anything too large may be difficult for them to eat or could even injure them. Mantises also require water for drinking; a small bowl or bottle cap filled with water placed in their enclosure should suffice. Be sure to change the water regularly and keep an eye on it lest it become stagnant and dirty – moldy water can make your mantis sick!
Temperature & Humidity: Most praying mantises do well at room temperature (between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit), but some tropical species may require higher temperatures (upwards of 85 degrees). You’ll also need to monitor the humidity levels in your mantis’ enclosure; too much moisture can lead to fungal growth which can harm your pet, while too little could cause dehydration. A good rule of thumb is to keep the humidity around 50-60%, though this may vary depending on the species of mantis you have.
Can You Keep a Wild Praying Mantis As a Pet
Yes, you can keep a wild praying mantis as a pet. Although they are not commonly kept as pets, they can make interesting and low-maintenance insects to care for. Praying mantises are predators and will typically eat anything that moves, including other insects, spiders, lizards, and even small mammals.
They do not have any specific dietary requirements and will usually adapt to whatever food is available to them. Wild praying mantises can be found in many different habitats all over the world. They prefer warm climates but can also be found in temperate areas such as North America and Europe.
Orchid Mantis Pet
If you’re looking for a beautiful and unique pet, you may want to consider an orchid mantis. These creatures are native to southeast Asia and can be found in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, blue, and green. Orchid mantises are relatively easy to care for and make fascinating pets.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping an orchid mantis as a pet.
Orchid mantises are carnivores that prefer live prey. If you’re squeamish about feeding your pet live insects, you may want to reconsider getting an orchid mantis.
These creatures will also eat other small animals like lizards, frogs, and mice if given the opportunity. You’ll need to provide your pet with a steady supply of food or it will starve.
In the wild, orchid mantises blend in with their surroundings to avoid becoming prey themselves.
As such, they’re masters of camouflage. When kept as pets, however, they typically lose their ability to camouflage themselves since they’re not constantly exposed to predators. This means that your orchid mantis will likely be more colorful than its wild counterparts.
Orchid mantises are relatively easy to care for but there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First of all, these creatures prefer warm climates so you’ll need to provide them with a heat lamp if you live in a cooler climate. Secondly, they need high humidity levels so misting their enclosure regularly is important (weekly at minimum).
Finally, unlike most insects which go through metamorphosis (a complete change in form), adult orchid mantises look very similar to nymphs (juveniles).
Best Praying Mantis Pet
There are a lot of reasons why a Praying Mantis makes an excellent pet. For one, they’re relatively low-maintenance as far as pets go. They don’t require much in the way of food or housing, and they don’t make any noise.
They’re also fascinating to watch, as they go about their business of eating insects and keeping your garden free of pests.
If you’re thinking of getting a Praying Mantis as a pet, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important to choose the right species.
Some types of Mantids can be quite aggressive, and not all of them make good pets. The best bet is to choose one of the more docile varieties, such as the Chinese Mantis or European Mantis.
As far as food goes, most Mantids will eat just about any type of small insect.
You can buy commercial cricket food at your local pet store, or you can raise your own crickets by keeping them in a container with some holes punched in the lid for ventilation. If you do raise your own crickets, be sure to dust them with calcium powder before feeding them to your mantis to ensure that she gets enough nutrients.
Praying Mantises need somewhere to perch while they hunt for prey and rest between meals.
A simple plastic cage will do nicely – just be sure that it has plenty of ventilation holes drilled into it so that your mantis doesn’t overheat (they like it on the warm side). You can line the bottom of the cage with paper towels or sand for easy cleaning. Just be sure that whatever you use is completely dry so that mold doesn’t have a chance to grow (mold is dangerous for mantises).
Conclusion
Praying mantis pets can be a great addition to your home. These unique insects are easy to care for and can provide you with hours of enjoyment. Praying mantises are relatively low-maintenance pets, requiring only a few simple supplies to get started.
A small cage or fish tank will suffice, along with some sticks or leaves for the mantis to climb on. You’ll also need to provide a water dish and some food, such as live crickets or mealworms. With proper care, your praying mantis pet can live for several years.