Care tips &
breeding
notes.
Husbandry articles, breeding observations, and keeper advice from a working mantis breeder in Las Vegas.
How to identify the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), South Carolina's state insect — size, range, whether it makes a good pet, and c...
Brand new keeper? Read these six, in order.
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina): The US Native
How to identify the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), South Carolina's state insect — size, range, whether it makes a good pet, and care basics.
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina): The US Native
How to identify the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), South Carolina's state insect — size, range, whether it makes a good pet, and care basics.
READ →Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis): ID, History, Pet Care
Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) care, ID, and history: the largest mantis in the US, how it got here, the garden-ootheca connection, and whether it makes a good pet.
READ →European Mantis: The Original Praying Mantis
What does 'praying mantis' mean? Meet Mantis religiosa, the European mantis that named the group — its symbolism, bullseye ID spot, and pet suitability.
READ →Feeder Insects for Praying Mantises: The Complete Guide
What praying mantises eat at every stage — fruit flies, bottle flies, roaches. The feeder ladder, culture care, and where to buy mantis food.
READ →How We Breed Praying Mantises: Inside the Bug Room
How a Las Vegas breeder pairs mantises, incubates oothecae, and raises captive-bred nymphs from L1 - and why our small-batch drops sell out.
READ →Praying Mantis Egg Case: How to Identify & Hatch an Ootheca
What a praying mantis egg case (ootheca) is, how to identify the one you found, how many nymphs hatch, and the honest truth about hatching it yourself.
READ →Are Praying Mantis Legal? State Laws & Permits
Are praying mantises legal in the US? A clear guide to permits, state laws, native vs exotic species, and why captive-bred mantises stay fully legal.
READ →Best Pet Mantis for Beginners: 6 Species Ranked
The Ghost Mantis is the best pet mantis for beginners — a US breeder ranks the 6 easiest praying mantis species by difficulty, size, and lifespan, and explains why.
READ →How Much Does a Praying Mantis Cost? 2026 Pricing Guide
A pet praying mantis costs $30–$80 captive-bred. Real 2026 prices by species, what drives them, and total cost of ownership, from a US breeder.
READ →Orchid Mantis vs Ghost Mantis: Which Should You Get?
Orchid Mantis vs Ghost Mantis compared by a breeder: care, cost, temperament, and communal keeping. Ghost wins for beginners — here's why.
READ →Praying Mantis Buying Guide: How to Choose Your First Mantis
Your complete praying mantis buying guide: where to buy, how to vet a seller, the best beginner species, what instar to choose, and how to prep before it arrives.
READ →Praying Mantis Lifespan: How Long Do They Live by Species
Praying mantis lifespan by species: most live 6-18 months. See female vs male differences, life stages, and how temperature and feeding affect longevity.
READ →Praying Mantis Terrarium Setup: Complete Habitat Guide
Praying mantis terrarium setup by instar: enclosure size, ventilation, substrate, temperature, and humidity — so your mantis molts safely to adult.
READ →Praying Mantis Molting Problems: Stuck Molts & Fixes
Mantis stuck in a bad molt? Learn what a mismolt looks like, when to intervene, when to leave it alone, and how to prevent stuck molts.
READ →Praying Mantis Not Eating? Here's What to Do
Praying mantis not eating? The top reasons a mantis refuses food — pre-molt, cold, wrong prey size — and exactly what to do for each. From a working breeder.
READ →Praying Mantis vs Tarantula: Which Pet Is Right for You?
Praying mantis vs tarantula: which exotic pet is right for you? A breeder who keeps both compares lifespan, care, handling, and daily activity to help you choose.
READ →How to Unbox a Shipped Praying Mantis (Step-by-Step)
How to unbox a shipped praying mantis the right way: step-by-step acclimation, what to check, and exactly what to do if your mantis arrives DOA.
READ →How Long Do Praying Mantises Live? The Honest Answer
Most praying mantises live 6 to 12 months. That's the deal. Here's why, what it means for keepers, and which species push the upper bound.
READ →Where are you in the journey?
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