Not furry either, still lovely.
Giant Vietnamese Mantis
Hierodula membranacea
Also called Giant Asian praying mantis
From South-eastern Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and southern China12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Excluding extended forelegs; females reach 8-9 cm, males 7-8 cm
Looks how to spot one
exoskeleton
A large, robust mantis with a long prothorax and powerful raptorial forelegs. Males are slimmer with wings extending past the abdomen; females are bulkier with shorter wings.31
Personality what they are like
Bold and fearless, this mantis actively hunts prey rather than waiting in ambush. It is generally docile with humans and can be handled gently, but it is extremely aggressive towards other mantises and will cannibalise them.43
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low; they spend long periods still but are diurnal and will actively hunt when prey is present. They need a tall enclosure with branches for climbing and hanging upside down to moult.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal. The enclosure must be kept clean of leftover prey and droppings. Misting the enclosure lightly provides drinking water. Handle only when necessary and with great care, as falls can be fatal.45
Home where they are happiest
A vertically oriented terrarium at least three times the mantis's length in height, with good ventilation and a mesh or rough ceiling for hanging. Temperature 22-30°C (68-86°F) and humidity 40-60%. Provide branches and foliage for climbing.154
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insectivorous. Feed live insects such as crickets, cockroaches, flies, and moths. Prey size should not exceed one third of the mantis's body length. Adults eat every 2-3 days; young nymphs need daily feeding. Avoid poisonous insects like wasps and bees.543
Company who they like around
Strictly solitary. This species is highly cannibalistic and must be housed alone from a young age. Females often eat males after mating.42
The story where it all began
Hierodula membranacea is native to the warm, humid forests and shrublands of South-east Asia. Its large size, striking colours and hardy nature have made it one of the most popular mantis species in the pet trade, often recommended for beginners.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Giant Vietnamese Mantis. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Giant Vietnamese Mantis?
Adults need feeding every 2 to 3 days, while young nymphs should be fed daily. Prey size should not exceed one third of the mantis's body length. Furry Diary's starting plan notes that feeding depends on species, size and moult stage, so adjust accordingly.543 Furry Diary plan
What does a Giant Vietnamese Mantis eat, and what should it never eat?
Your mantis enjoys live insects such as crickets, cockroaches, flies, and moths. Never feed it poisonous insects like wasps or bees, as these can harm it. Always offer prey that is no larger than one third of its body length.543
How much space does a Giant Vietnamese Mantis need?
Provide a tall terrarium that is at least three times your mantis's length in height. It needs good ventilation and a mesh or rough ceiling for hanging. Add branches and foliage for climbing and perching.154
What temperature, light or water does a Giant Vietnamese Mantis need?
Keep the temperature between 22 and 30°C and humidity at 40 to 60%. Light is not specifically mentioned, but a natural day-night cycle is fine. Provide water by lightly misting the enclosure every couple of days, and Furry Diary's plan also suggests a water dish every 2 days.154 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Giant Vietnamese Mantis's home?
Remove leftover food and droppings weekly as part of spot cleaning. A full substrate change is needed about every 6 months. Always leave your mantis in peace while it is moulting.45 Furry Diary plan
Can a Giant Vietnamese Mantis live with others?
No, this mantis must live alone. It is highly cannibalistic and will attack and eat other mantises, even after mating. House each mantis in its own enclosure from a young age.42
How long does a Giant Vietnamese Mantis live?
The Giant Vietnamese Mantis typically lives for 1 to 2 years. Males often have a slightly shorter lifespan than females.42
Can I handle a Giant Vietnamese Mantis?
Yes, you can handle it gently, but only when necessary. They are generally docile with humans, but falls can be fatal, so always handle over a soft surface and with extreme care.435
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- en.wikipedia.org: Hierodula membranacea en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, coat or body, colours, habitat needs, history
- atlarium.bio: hierodula membranacea atlarium.bioused for origin, lifespan years, best traits, activity needs, social needs
- keepinginsects.com: giant asian mantis keepinginsects.comused for length cm, coat or body, colours, temperament, diet basics
- insectkeeper.com: giant asian mantis insectkeeper.comused for lifespan years, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, fun fact
- panterrapets.com: giant asian mantis caresheet panterrapets.comused for grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics
- bugpets.co.uk: giant asian mantis care guide bugpets.co.uk
- en.wikipedia.org: Hierodula en.wikipedia.org
- en.wikipedia.org: Hierodula patellifera en.wikipedia.org
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.