Housing
When housing your mantis the enclosure should be a suitable size and able to maintain the appropriate environmental conditions for the species. The enclosure needs to be tall enough to give room for the mantis to moult, but small enough that the mantis is able to easily catch prey. Our guide is at least 3 times width and 5 times the height of the mantis.
Humidity & Ventilation
Ensure there are adequate vents in the enclosure so that appropriate temperature and humidity levels are maintained. A fine mist of water will add humidity but don’t soak the environment or mist your mantis directly. Invest in a good quality adjustable mister similar to the ones florists use as the spray can be controlled more precisely than cheaper misters. A good quality hygrometer and thermometer will help you to monitor the humidity and temperature in the enclosure.
Decor & Cleaning
Keep the enclosure clean and free from bacteria and mould as this can be harmful or even fatal to your mantis. Real plants and substrate are nice, but can harbour bacteria or mould and would probably need the environment to be kept too wet for the mantis. Silk and plastic foliage are far easier to keep clean. Using tissue on the bottom of the enclosure helps to hold in humidity and is also easy to replace to keep the environment clean.
Heat & Light
Most mantis do not need any special lighting but do need to be kept warm enough. We keep our room at 20-28 degrees (night/day), but a heat mat or light bulb would be fine for a smaller area. Ensure the mantis can regulate themselves by being able to move away from the heat and vice versa.