Mantis species for sale at Scale Area
In our shop you will find a carefully selected range of praying mantis species, captive-bred and adapted to different experience levels:
All our mantises are shipped with detailed information about their specific care. To have everything ready when it arrives, also check out the terrariums for mantises and the food for mantises.
Which mantis is best for beginners?
The ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) is the best one to start with: it is one of the easiest to care for, tolerates 18 to 30 °C and a moderate humidity of 65%, and the adult female measures around 5 cm. The jewelled flower mantis (Creobroter sp. «Yunnan») is also straightforward and very active. These are the species in the collection, from easiest to most demanding:
- Easy: ghost mantis, jewelled flower mantis and African flower mantis (Chlidonoptera lestoni), around 4-5 cm.
- Intermediate: orchid mantis (female 7 cm and male 2.5 cm), cryptic mantis (Sibylla pretiosa), dead leaf shield mantis (Deroplatys truncata) and moss mantis (Pseudacanthops lobipes), which need a stable humidity of 70-75%.
- For advanced keepers: dragon mantis (Stenophylla lobivertex) and devil's flower mantis (Idolomantis diabolica), up to 13 cm and needing 28-35 °C.
What terrarium does a mantis need?
A mantis terrarium is tall and measures at least 3 times the insect's length in height and 2 times in width. For example, for a 6 cm mantis an 18 cm tall, 12 cm wide terrarium is enough. Height is essential because the mantis hangs upside down to shed. It should not be too big either: the mantis waits for prey to pass in front of it and, in a huge enclosure, it may not find it.
- Temperature: most are fine between 22 and 30 °C, with a slight drop at night. The devil's flower mantis needs 28 to 35 °C.
- Humidity: between 65% and 75% depending on the species, with misting and good ventilation to prevent mould.
- Decoration: thin branches and plants to hang from and hunt.
There are 12 × 12 × 22 cm and 22 × 22 × 22 cm models in mantis terrariums.
Does a mantis bite? Can mantises live together?
A mantis is not dangerous to people: it has no venom and, at most, it may try to pinch with its front legs if it feels threatened, without causing harm. Handle it with clean, dry hands and no sudden movements, letting it climb onto your hand by itself, and never during shedding or just after.
Mantises are always kept separately, one per terrarium, because they are solitary and cannibalistic: a mantis will eat a smaller one without hesitation. The exception in our collection is the devil's flower mantis, a species adapted to living in groups. Keeping a captive-bred mantis is legal; what you should not do is catch mantises in the wild. All the care information is in our guide to caring for a mantis.
Do I need permits to buy a mantis online?
You do not need permits for captive-bred species. At Scale Area, all our mantises are bred specifically as pets and are shipped with the necessary documentation.
