The Praying Mantis, AKA mantid, is one of the most popular and easily recognized insects. A live praying mantis also makes a very interesting live pet. They are one of the largest bugs that people encounter in the United States. Mantises usually measure two and a half to three inches. Males are usually shorter and more slender than females. Only adult mantises have wings. Young mantises are called nymphs. Mantises go through a number of molts (process where the shed their skin). The mantis life cycle begins in the egg case, which is also called an ootheca (plural is oothecae). When they hatch, the descend almost like spiders on small silken strands. A small membrane that enclosed them within the eggcase is cast off as they unfurl their bodies and legs. These newly hatched mantises are referred to as 1st instar (instar = stage between molts). A mantis enters the 2nd instar when it sheds its skin the first time. Different species and males and females may have a different total number of instars, but most mantids probably have 6-9 instars. A mantis becomes an adult after its final shed and will never molt again. Many species will have wings as adults, but not all. Some species will have smaller, "vestigial" wings that only cover half their bodies, or less. Other species are unwinged at maturity.

Below (scroll down) are listed some of the pet mantis species that hobbyists raise. Pet mantises are the most popular insect "pet" in the US hobby. Mantids are predatory insects with raptorial forelegs. Their front set of legs is lined with spines that help them hold their prey. A curved horn-like spike also helps them catch their prey and they sometimes use this to punch at predators. They eat other live bugs, usually slightly smaller than themselves though I've seen photos and videos of mantises eating hummingbirds, mice and other animals not usually thought of as likely prey. With a bit of practice, they are fairly simple pets to care for.  Please read the mantid caresheet below to learn more about the amazing praying mantis!

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