Scientific name: Tenodera sinensis
The basics:
The Chinese Praying Mantis is a large mantid which is native to China but has been introduced to many other locations worldwide, including North America, to control pest insects. The Chinese Praying Mantis is commonly found in bushes and trees, and prey on other insects, including other mantids.
Appearance / health:
The Chinese mantis looks long and slender with different shades of brown. The adult has a green line down its top set of wings. It is typically larger than most other mantises, growing up to 4 inches in length, and are known as the largest species of mantid in North America.
Behavior / temperament:
The Chinese mantis is a great species for beginners. Not only is it large, but it’s also pretty tame, and will tolerate most handling.
Housing:
Young nymphs do much better in vials 3 times as tall and 2 times as wide, as the mantis. For adults, anything between a 2 - 10 gallon tank will work for one mantis. Chinese Praying Mantis are highly cannibalistic and should be housed separately.
They will live happily at room temperature (68-75F). High humidity is not needed, but while young, spraying the enclosure 2-3 times a week will help overcome any problems while shedding the old skin. When the wing buds start to swell, or any other signs of shedding approach, it is best to spray the mantis at that point. Leaves and twigs are best inside the tank as it mostly resembles where they would be out in the wild.
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