Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula membranacea)

Short answers

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

30×30×45 cm (W×D×H), taller than wide.

Giant Asian mantis: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–29 °C, at night 20–21 °C.

Giant Asian mantis: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Giant Asian mantis: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–14 months (females longer).

Giant Asian mantis: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–29 °C

Night temperature

20–21 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm (W×D×H), taller than wide

Substrate

Coco humus; branches, grasses and leafy plants to climb on

Feeding

Food

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

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

females 9–10 cm, males 8–9 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 8–14 months (females longer)

Origin

South and South-East Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand; humid tropical rainforest)

Protection status

No known CITES or German protection; freely tradable

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary and strongly cannibalistic; keep them on their own. No pairs or groups outside supervised breeding

Notes

A very robust, good beginner's giant mantis that forgives smaller keeping mistakes. Watch the ventilation. When pairing, feed the female well beforehand (a risk of cannibalism).

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 membranacea) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) – Beginner
• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula majuscula) – 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 membranacea) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (W×D×H), taller than wide), substrate (Coco humus; branches, grasses and leafy plants to climb on), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.