Welcome to the Ultimate Mantis Species Database!
With over 2,400 known praying mantis species worldwide, each has unique characteristics, care requirements, and adaptations. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-care-for mantis or an experienced keeper interested in rare and exotic species like the Jeweled Flower Mantis (Creobroter gemmatus) or the Shield Mantis (Rhombodera megaera), this section provides all the details you need.
💡 New to mantises? Start with our 30+ Mantis Species: Care, Facts, and Conservation Insights, the most comprehensive resource on mantis species, or how about Praying Mantises for Beginners more below:
📌 Looking for a specific species? Browse the categories below to explore experience level, region, or adaptation profiles.
🔎 Featured Guide: Explore 30+ Mantis Species
📚 Summary: This guide covers 33+ popular mantis species, including care tips, habitat needs, and fun facts, with highlights on exotic mantis species like the Dragon Mantis (Toxodera denticulata) and the Spiny Devil Mantis (Acanthops falcata).
👉 What you’ll learn:
- Key differences between beginner-friendly and exotic species.
- Feeding habits, enclosures, and unique behaviors of each species.
- Rare mantises that are popular among advanced keepers include the Boxer Mantis (Acromantis japonica), Devil’s Flower Mantis (Idolomantis diabolica), and Jeweled Flower Mantis (Creobroter gemmatus).
📌 Start exploring now → View All Species Profiles
🦧 Beginner-Friendly Mantises (Best for First-Time Keepers)
If you’re new to mantis keeping, these species are easy to care for and forgiving of mistakes.
Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis)
🌏 Origin: Asia (widely introduced in North America)
📌 Why it’s great for beginners: Hardy, adaptable, and grows large.
📌 Size: 7-10 cm
📌 Lifespan: 6-12 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Vertical space, moderate humidity
Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) Profile
🌿 Unique Feature: Leaf-like camouflage
📌 Why it’s great for beginners: Low maintenance and does well in captivity.
📌 Size: 4-6 cm
📌 Lifespan: 6-10 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Low humidity, natural branches for perching
Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) Care Guide
🌸 Unique Feature: Resembles an orchid flower
📌 Why it’s great for beginners: Beautiful but slightly challenging; best for second-time keepers.
📌 Size: 6-7 cm
📌 Lifespan: 8-12 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: High humidity, warm temperatures
Additional Beginner Species:
- Carolina Orchid Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) – Native to North America, adaptable.
- Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula membranacea) – Large, active, and easy to care for.
- Budwing Mantis (Parasphendale agrionina) – Hardy, entertaining hunting behavior.
- African Mantis (Sphodromantis baccettii) – Large, vibrant green, beginner-friendly.
📌 Looking for your first mantis? Check out our guide to the Top 5 Beginner Mantis Species
🌎 Mantis Species by Geographic Region
Explore mantis species from different continents and their native habitats.
European Mantis (Mantis religiosa) Care & Facts
🌍 Region: Europe, North Africa, Asia
📌 Features: Common in gardens, moderate care level.
📌 Size: 5-8 cm
📌 Lifespan: 8-12 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Moderate humidity, vertical space
African Giant Mantis (Sphodromantis lineola)
🌍 Region: Africa
📌 Features: Large, aggressive hunter, requires space.
📌 Size: 8-10 cm
📌 Lifespan: 10-14 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Spacious enclosure, good ventilation
Additional Regional Species:
- Indian Flower Mantis (Creobroter pictipennis) – Southeast Asia, jewel-like colors.
- Devil’s Flower Mantis (Idolomantis diabolica) – Rare, striking display behavior.
- Amazonian Rainforest Mantis (Metrioptera amabilis) – Found in tropical South America.
- Australian Green Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae) – Common in Australia, highly active.
📌 Want a mantis from your region? Check out our regional species breakdown
🎭 Camouflage and Mimicry: Mantises with Unique Adaptations
Some mantis species have incredible natural disguises to blend into their environment.
Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys dessicata) Profile
🍂 Adaptation: Mimics a dead, curled leaf
📌 Why it’s unique: Great for terrariums with leaf litter.
📌 Size: 7-9 cm
📌 Lifespan: 8-12 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Leaf litter substrate, moderate humidity
Spiny Flower Mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) Care
🌺 Adaptation: Brightly colored to mimic flowers
📌 Why it’s unique: Active and visually stunning.
📌 Size: 4-5 cm
📌 Lifespan: 6-9 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: High humidity, warm environment
Additional Camouflaging Species:
- Thistle Mantis (Blepharopsis mendica) – Resembles a dried thistle.
- Twig Mantis (Popa spurca) – Long, thin body mimicking twigs.
- Violin Mantis (Gongylus gongylodes) – Remarkable elongated limbs for disguise.
🔥 Exotic & Rare Mantises (For Experienced Keepers)
These species are challenging to keep and require specialized care.
Jeweled Flower Mantis (Creobroter gemmatus) Profile
💎 Rarity: Limited availability in captivity
📌 Why it’s unique: Beautiful patterns and active hunters.
📌 Size: 4-5 cm
📌 Lifespan: 6-9 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: High humidity, active space
Shield Mantis (Rhombodera megaera) Care Guide
🛡 Rarity: Large, aggressive, requires careful feeding
📌 Why it’s unique: It has a protective shield-like structure.
📌 Size: 10-12 cm
📌 Lifespan: 12-16 months
📌 Enclosure Needs: Spacious enclosure, vertical space
Additional Exotic Species:
- Boxer Mantis (Acromantis japonica) – Small but aggressive stance.
🔔 Additional Resources and Tools
📌 Interactive Features:
- Mantis Species Selector Quiz – Find the best mantis species for your needs.
- Habitat Size Calculator – Ensure the right enclosure size for your chosen species.
- Printable Mantis Species Comparison Chart – A side-by-side comparison of care requirements.
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