Metallic bark mantis (Metallyticus splendidus)

Short answers

Metallic bark mantis: How big does the enclosure need to be?

20×20×25 cm kept singly, with cork bark as a hide.

Metallic bark mantis: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot no warm spot needed, at night 22–24 °C.

Metallic bark mantis: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Metallic bark mantis: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–9 months.

Metallic bark mantis: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

no warm spot needed

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

20×20×25 cm kept singly, with cork bark as a hide

Substrate

Coco humus, damp; cork tubes and pieces of bark

Feeding

Food

Small roaches (the staple), flies, crickets

Feeding interval

every 1–2 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 2.5–3 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 6–9 months

Origin

South-East Asia (Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo)

Protection status

Not protected; rarely in the trade

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single keeping. The species is only conditionally tolerant of conspecifics: nymphs of very different sizes eat each other, stunted animals are bitten or eaten, and adult males can be territorial toward each other. Pairs (one male, one female) are put together only for mating, when both sexes are peaceful according to a keeper's report. Groups of nymphs of equal size work only with plenty of food and are risky.

Notes

Shimmering metallic blue-green and flat-bodied — it lives under loose tree bark and hunts cockroaches there. Considered difficult: it needs permanently warm, humid conditions and flat hides, and a normal mantis enclosure does not fit.

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Related species

• 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
• Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) – Beginner
• Banded flower mantis (Theopropus elegans) – Intermediate
• Boxer mantis (Ephestiasula pictipes) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Metallic bark mantis (Metallyticus splendidus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (20×20×25 cm kept singly, with cork bark as a hide), substrate (Coco humus, damp; cork tubes and pieces of bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.