Meet the animal
This profile covers Sphodromantis lineola. Other Sphodromantis share the African mantis trade name. Green or brown colour alone cannot establish identity or sex. Six legs include the two folded catching forelegs.
Before you choose one
Plan around an adult female and ask for its growth stage (instar) and feeding records. A late-stage animal has less remaining growth than a small nymph. Keep one mantis; a robust appearance does not make communal housing or repeated handling appropriate.
Set up its home
The proposed adult layout is 30 × 30 × 45 cm with secure roof grip and sparse cover. AES recommends at least four body lengths of clear drop beneath the moult perch. Measure after furnishing. Nymphs need finer escape gaps and prey containment.
Measure the clear hanging space below the actual grip after furnishing. Nominal enclosure height does not establish the usable moulting drop.
Temperature and safe heating
The keeper guide favours around 25°C within a 22–30°C daytime range, with nights at least around 17°C. The proposed 23–26°C day plan needs review for stage and room. Measure the occupied area and avoid concentrated overhead heat.
Daylight, shade and UV
Provide about 12 hours of daytime light, shade and darkness overnight. No mandatory UVB or numeric UVI is established here. Appropriate ambient lighting should not remove cooler sheltered choices.
Water, moisture and airflow
The source describes around 50–60% humidity. Offer fine droplets on surfaces with ventilation and drying. Damp substrate alone does not prove drinking access. Do not drench the animal or seal a saturated cage.
Food and nutrition
Offer varied suitable cultured insects sized to stage and condition. Observe capture without hand-feeding or forcing the mouth. Remove disturbing prey during pre-moult and wait for the new body to harden before resuming. Use abdomen condition rather than a fixed universal count.
Behaviour and handling
Keep singly and preserve the chosen perch during pre-moult. Do not pull legs from mesh or provoke threat displays. Use a voluntary supported perch route for necessary transfers with secure containment below.
Health and life stages
Injury, persistent weakness, poor grip or failed moulting needs experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Record meals, stage and moults and inspect the clear path and ventilation. Do not peel old skin away or use pesticides.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred S. lineola with stage and prey records. Resolve generic trade labels before applying this plan. Check current import requirements and keep egg cases and unwanted offspring contained; never release insects outdoors.
Your care routine
Test roof grip, clear drop and prey supply before arrival. Check droplets and ventilation regularly and remove waste without disturbing moults. Recheck clearance after furnishing changes and leave stage and last-meal instructions for holiday care.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 8 ticked
African mantis — Sphodromantis lineola
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/african-mantis/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Firsthand African mantis husbandry (Keeping Insects)
- Praying mantid care (Amateur Entomologists’ Society)
- UK species livestock listing (dated observation, not stock guarantee) (Repxotics)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for African mantis, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Pro Paludarium 30 × 30 × 60 cm
PT4402; nominal external 30 × 30 × 60 cm; front-opening glass, adjustable ventilation, lockable stainless-steel mesh top.
Secure doors, cables and vents; check the smallest life stage and actual usable space. External dimensions are not usable internal space. Check actual individual size, access, secure gaps, load support, furnishing clearance and any substrate depth before choosing this example. Measure at least four adult body lengths of unobstructed hanging space below the actual grip, after substrate and food stems; fit secure stage-appropriate roof grip.
Measure the finished usable floor and height after substrate and furnishings against this guide. Check doors, vents and cable gaps for the actual animal and life stage. Secure the lid, test airflow and temperature, and keep lamps inaccessible. For terrestrial layouts retain the land floor; close and secure any drain rather than adding a water pool. Provide secure stage-appropriate overhead grip and measure the unobstructed drop beneath it: at least four actual body lengths for mantises or three adult body lengths for stick/leaf insects. Include soil depth, food stems and protected water vessels in that measurement; choose a larger enclosure if it fails. Very small nymphs may need a separate fine-gap nursery and accessible prey.
Also plan for: Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Offer varied suitable cultured insects sized to stage and condition.
Equipment notes: Set up its home
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Pro Paludarium 30 × 30 × 60 cm
PT4402; nominal external 30 × 30 × 60 cm; front-opening glass, adjustable ventilation, lockable stainless-steel mesh top.
Secure doors, cables and vents; check the smallest life stage and actual usable space. External dimensions are not usable internal space. Check actual individual size, access, secure gaps, load support, furnishing clearance and any substrate depth before choosing this example. Measure at least four adult body lengths of unobstructed hanging space below the actual grip, after substrate and food stems; fit secure stage-appropriate roof grip.
Measure the finished usable floor and height after substrate and furnishings against this guide. Check doors, vents and cable gaps for the actual animal and life stage. Secure the lid, test airflow and temperature, and keep lamps inaccessible. For terrestrial layouts retain the land floor; close and secure any drain rather than adding a water pool. Provide secure stage-appropriate overhead grip and measure the unobstructed drop beneath it: at least four actual body lengths for mantises or three adult body lengths for stick/leaf insects. Include soil depth, food stems and protected water vessels in that measurement; choose a larger enclosure if it fails. Very small nymphs may need a separate fine-gap nursery and accessible prey.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.