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Praying Mantis For Sale

Orchid Praying Mantis For Sale Uk

Praying mantises are truly fascinating creatures that bring a touch of the exotic into your home. With their distinctive appearance, featuring elongated bodies, triangular heads, and those signature folded front legs, they are unlike any other pet you might keep. Whether you’re an experienced insect enthusiast or someone new to the world of exotic pets, a praying mantis offers an engaging and rewarding experience.

One of the most captivating aspects of keeping a praying mantis is observing their natural behavior. These insects are masters of camouflage and stealth, often remaining motionless for long periods before striking with lightning speed to catch their prey. Watching a mantis hunt and interact with its environment provides a unique window into the world of insects, showcasing the incredible adaptations and skills that have made them such successful predators.

Praying mantises come in a variety of species, each with its own unique characteristics and beauty. From the common green mantis to the more exotic species that mimic flowers or leaves, these insects are a wonder to behold. Caring for a mantis is relatively straightforward, making them a great choice for those looking to explore the world of insect keeping. With the right setup and a bit of knowledge, you can create a thriving environment that allows your mantis to live a healthy and natural life.

Whether you’re captivated by their hunting prowess or simply appreciate their striking appearance, praying mantises offer a connection to the natural world that few other pets can provide. They’re more than just insects; they’re a reminder of the incredible diversity and complexity of life on Earth. Keeping a mantis is not only a joy but also an opportunity to learn and grow as you care for one of nature’s most remarkable creatures.

FAQ'S About Praying Mantises

What do praying mantises eat?

Praying mantises are carnivorous insects that primarily feed on live prey. Their diet typically consists of small insects like crickets, flies, and moths. Larger mantises may also eat larger prey, such as grasshoppers, spiders, and even other mantises. It’s important to provide appropriately sized prey for your mantis to ensure it can catch and eat its food easily.

How long do praying mantises live?

The lifespan of a praying mantis varies depending on the species and environmental conditions. On average, most mantises live for about 6 months to a year. However, some species can live longer, particularly if kept in ideal conditions. Mantises generally live longer in captivity than in the wild, where they are more susceptible to predators and environmental factors.

Do praying mantises need special care?

Praying mantises are relatively low-maintenance pets, but they do have specific care requirements. They need a properly sized enclosure with adequate ventilation, suitable humidity levels, and appropriate temperature. Mantises require a diet of live insects and should be fed regularly. Additionally, it’s important to monitor their environment for cleanliness and to ensure they have enough space to molt and move around.

Can praying mantises be handled?

Praying mantises can be handled, but they are delicate creatures, so it’s important to be gentle. They may become stressed if handled too frequently, so handling should be limited and done carefully. When handling a mantis, allow it to crawl onto your hand rather than picking it up directly. Always support the mantis from below and avoid making sudden movements that could startle it.

What kind of enclosure is best for a praying mantis?

The ideal enclosure for a praying mantis depends on the species, but generally, it should be tall rather than wide to accommodate their climbing behavior. A good rule of thumb is that the enclosure should be at least three times the height of the mantis and twice as wide as its length. The enclosure should have adequate ventilation, with a secure lid to prevent escape. Provide branches or other structures for climbing and perches, and maintain appropriate humidity and temperature levels based on the species’ needs.

How do praying mantises reproduce?

Praying mantises reproduce through a process where the female lays eggs in a foamy substance called an ootheca, which hardens into a protective casing. The ootheca can contain dozens or even hundreds of eggs, depending on the species. After laying the eggs, the female may continue to guard the ootheca, but in captivity, it is often removed and placed in a separate enclosure to hatch. The eggs typically hatch within a few weeks to a few months, depending on environmental conditions, releasing tiny nymphs that resemble miniature versions of adult mantises.

Live Praying Mantises for Sale in the United Kingdom

Mantis N. I is a company that focuses on breeding as well as selling of captive-bred praying mantis within the United Kingdom. Being one of the top invert retailers in the nation, we specialise in a huge selection of  species and variants for nature lovers, entomology enthusiasts, hobbyists and educators.

Madagascan Marbled

Our Range Of Mantises

Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus):

Without any doubt, the praying mantis species that has gained the most popularity and recognition, second only to the Giant Asian, is the orchid mantis. These beautiful bugs are endemic to Southeast Asia and have developed a stunning resemblance to the appearance of the flowers of the orchid plant for protection. With their spindle-like legs and white and pink abdomen resembling the petals of an orchid flower, they are almost invisible when not in motion.

We still have a few orchid nymphs that were bred and raised in captivity at L3-L4 stages for sale. These magnificent insects are one of the most rewarding display specimens that one can keep.

Giant Asian (Hierodula Membranacea): A beloved and firm favourite amongst beginners and experts alike. They can be a wide range of colours, from vibrant greens to muted browns, and everything in-between! They are a good hardy species to keep and the growth rate is phenomenal to witness.

Dragon Mantis (Stenophylla Lobervertex): Previously an elusive species, holding a huge price tag, the Dragon Mantis is now much more accesible to all and an excellent addition to anyones collection. Much easier to care for than was believed in the past few years, we have had great success breeding these and are proud to offer them at a price suitable for all enthusiasts.

Being among the UK’s largest breeder and supplier of praying mantis, we can provide you with healthy praying mantis nymphs and adults at competitive prices. New products are constantly being added to our range, so please visit our online shop to view selection and availability. We stock everything you need to either begin your collection or upgrade and expand on your previous collection.

Purchase Captive-Bred Mantises From Us

Here at Mantis N.I we choose to work with captive bred specimens and not wild caught imports as we strongly consider them to be better pets and a more responsible way of conducting business. Our mantises are born and raised to be healthy eating, fast growing and calm meaning they will be easy to keep, strong, healthy and a worthwhile addition to any collection.

We supply to mantis hobbyists and retailers all over in the UK.

The shipping services we use is Royal Mail Special Delivery – So your order will arrive the day after it has been processed and dispatched. We dispatch Monday to Thursday and can arrange for delivery Tuesday-Friday, whatever is most convenient for you.

We also offer aftercare advice and support by email and social media.

Check out our website to purchase one of the most exciting insects in nature. We are optimistic that we have a praying mantis and all the equipment that’s just right for you if you are a beginner or an experienced insect enthusiast!

Shop Our Selection of Praying Mantises For Sale