Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera)

Short answers

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

From 30×30×40 cm for an adult animal (height at least three times body length).

Giant Asian mantis: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Giant Asian mantis: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Giant Asian mantis: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–14 months from hatching; adult females then live for a further 4–6 months.

Giant Asian mantis: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 30×30×40 cm for an adult animal (height at least three times body length)

Substrate

Coco humus, climbing twigs, gauze for shedding

Feeding

Food

Flies, house crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

every 2–3 days

Key facts

Adult size

6–8 cm

Life expectancy

8–14 months from hatching; adult females then live for a further 4–6 months

Origin

South-East Asia

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them strictly singly. Solitary and cannibalistic: two animals in one enclosure regularly end up as one. That applies to animals of the same size too, and even when both are well fed. For breeding, introduce the male under observation and separate them again immediately.

Notes

A robust, easily kept beginner's mantis. Cannibalistic like all mantids – never keep them together. Height is decisive: to moult it has to be able to hang freely.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula membranacea) – 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 patellifera) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 30×30×40 cm for an adult animal (height at least three times body length)), substrate (Coco humus, climbing twigs, gauze for shedding), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.