How to Setup Praying Mantis Cages

Purchase a glass or mesh cage to house your mantis. Since mantids spend much of their lives climbing rather than on the ground, cages that are tall are preferable to those that are long. A ten gallon fish tank can be easily modified for a mantis by turning it on its side and attaching a reptile screen to the front.

Place the cage in a draft-free area of the home, on a solid surface where it cannot be easily knocked over or disturbed.

Cover the bottom of the cage with a layer of reptile bark chips. Do not use pine or cedar chips, which may leach oils harmful to your pet over time.

Collect some sticks and branches. Carefully sanitize them by scrubbing off any dirt and debris, and then baking the items in a 200 degree oven for ten minutes to kill any parasites or bacteria. Alternately, you can purchase artificial foliage from craft or reptile stores. Let the branches cool completely before adding them to the tank.

Create multiple climbing surfaces with the branches. Decorate the tank with stones or other natural materials. Be sure to sanitize everything you add to the praying mantis cage.

Place your praying mantis into the cage and allow him to adjust undisturbed.

Mist the cage lightly with clean dechlorinated water once per day or every other day to ensure adequate humidity. You can mist the cage twice per day when your mantis is shedding to help him remove his exoskeleton more easily. Without proper moisture, your mantis may die from dehydration.

Feed your mantis store-bought crickets, mealworms and grasshoppers as much as he will eat. Remove any uneaten insects from the cage to prevent them from nibbling on your mantis.

Replace soiled bark and clean cage decor weekly with hot, dechlorinated water.