These are computer-made illustrations, not photographs. No animal was handled, moved, lit or disturbed to produce them, which is the point: an animal photographed for a care guide is an animal taken out of its enclosure.
‹ All husbandry guidesThe numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Flying insects — fruit flies then blue/green bottle flies · Nymphs every 1–2 days; adults every 2–3 days
Temperature
24–30°C (night ≥18°C)
Humidity
60–80% (nymphs kept drier)
Identity
Order / Family
Mantodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common (iconic, sought-after)
Adult size
F 6–7 cm; M ~2.5–3 cm (strong dimorphism)
Lifespan
F ~7–8 mo adult; M much shorter; total ~10–12 mo
Growth rate
Medium; F many more instars than M
Activity & niche
Diurnal · Arboreal flower-mimic ambush
Temperament
Calm; aggressive flying-prey specialist
Venom / defense
Harmless; grasp/pinch; relies on floral camouflage
Price (THB)
฿400–900
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–30°C (night ≥18°C)
Humidity
60–80% (nymphs kept drier)
Min. enclosure
20×20×30 cm (H ≥3× body); ventilated mesh top
Substrate
Coco fibre; mist for humidity + ventilation
Hides / decor / water
Pink/white silk flowers & perches; mist daily (adults)
Diet
Staple food
Flying insects — fruit flies then blue/green bottle flies
Feeding frequency
Nymphs every 1–2 days; adults every 2–3 days
Supplements
None; gut-load flies
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Calm but delicate; minimise; avoid pre-moult
Communal
No — strongly cannibalistic; house singly
Defense / stress signs
Flighty; refuses non-flying prey; darkens if stressed
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ootheca; hatch ~5–6 wk; tiny red/black ant-mimic hatchlings
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult (stagnant/too-wet air), refusal of crickets
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWon't take flies, lethargy, dark patches, mould
Good to know
- Petals on its legs mimic a flower so well it lures pollinators to it
Others in this group
Giant Asian MantisHierodula membranaceaGhost MantisPhyllocrania paradoxaAfrican Lined MantisSphodromantis lineolaChinese MantisTenodera sinensisHarabiro / Giant Asian MantisHierodula patelliferaGiant African MantisSphodromantis viridisJewelled Flower MantisCreobroter gemmatusGiant Dead Leaf MantisDeroplatys desiccata