Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula majuscula)

Short answers

Giant Asian mantis: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm (taller than wide).

Giant Asian mantis: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Giant Asian mantis: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Giant Asian mantis: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 months.

Giant Asian mantis: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm (taller than wide)

Substrate

Coco humus; branches and twigs for climbing

Feeding

Food

Large insects (house crickets, flies, roaches, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 2×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

body up to approx. 7 cm; females up to ~9–10 cm, males ~7 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 months

Origin

Northern Australia (tropical rainforest) – despite the trade name "Asian mantis"

Protection status

No known CITES or German protection; freely tradable

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary and cannibalistic; keep them on their own. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

A large, strongly green Hierodula (the "giant rainforest mantis"). The German trade name is misleading: the species comes from Australia, not Asia. Robust; mist lightly every day (the animals drink droplets).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula majuscula) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) – Beginner
• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula membranacea) – Beginner
• Spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) – Beginner to intermediate
• African giant mantis (Sphodromantis lineola) – Beginner
• African giant mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) – Beginner
• Egyptian dwarf mantis (Miomantis paykullii) – Beginner
• Asian ant mantis (Odontomantis planiceps) – Beginner
• Banded flower mantis (Theopropus elegans) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula majuscula) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (taller than wide)), substrate (Coco humus; branches and twigs for climbing), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.