The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Flies, moths; small crickets accepted · Every 2–3 days
Temperature
25–32°C day; cool nights
Humidity
50–70%
Identity
Order / Family
Mantodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Fairly common
Adult size
F ~6–8 cm; M ~6 cm (slender, feathered antennae in M)
Lifespan
F ~7–9 mo adult; total ~12–14 mo (overwinters as nymph)
Growth rate
Slow (long nymph diapause)
Activity & niche
Diurnal · Arboreal ornate ambush
Temperament
Calm, slow; flying-prey leaning
Venom / defense
Harmless; grasp/pinch; twig/flower camouflage
Price (THB)
฿400–900
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–32°C day; cool nights
Humidity
50–70%
Min. enclosure
Mesh 20×20×30 cm; cannot climb glass
Substrate
Coco/sand; mist plants
Hides / decor / water
Many twigs; mist to drink
Diet
Staple food
Flies, moths; small crickets accepted
Feeding frequency
Every 2–3 days
Supplements
None; gut-load feeders
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile and slow; handleable; avoid pre-moult
Communal
Semi — tolerant if spacious & well fed
Defense / stress signs
Sways; freezes; slow to strike
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ootheca; long development; overwinters as nymph
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult, chilling/heat imbalance stalls growth
Red flags / quarantine
SignsLethargy, mould, refuses food
Good to know
- Males have spectacular feathery antennae to detect female pheromone
Others in this group
Giant Asian MantisHierodula membranaceaGhost MantisPhyllocrania paradoxaAfrican Lined MantisSphodromantis lineolaChinese MantisTenodera sinensisOrchid MantisHymenopus coronatusHarabiro / Giant Asian MantisHierodula patelliferaGiant African MantisSphodromantis viridisJewelled Flower MantisCreobroter gemmatus