How Much Does a Praying Mantis Cost?

Owning an exotic pet like a praying mantis can be a unique and rewarding experience. But before bringing one of these fascinating insects home, it's important to understand the costs involved with properly caring for them.

This article will provide an overview of praying mantis prices, initial setup requirements, and ongoing care expenses to help you budget for a new insect companion.

With their large eyes, triangle-shaped heads, and spiked front legs folded in a prayer-like stance, praying mantises have an alien-like appearance that captivates many pet owners.

Beyond their unique look, mantises exhibit complex hunting behaviors, transition through different life stages, and come in a variety of colors and sizes depending on the species. This range of diversity and their relatively simple care needs make them appealing for first-time and experienced insect enthusiasts alike.

How Much Does a Praying Mantis Cost?

The average cost of a praying mantis in the US ranges between $10-$30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for nymphs and $25-$50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for adults. However, prices can vary more widely depending on the rarity of the species, source of purchase, and insect’s age.

More exotic species cost more, while common starter species like the Carolina mantis are very affordable. Buying directly from a breeder is generally cheaper than a pet store. And newly hatched nymphs are less expensive than mature adults.

Some factors affecting praying mantis prices include:

• Species – Common species tend to be cheaper (under $20 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)), while rare species can cost over $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job).
• Size – Adults cost more than nymphs or young mantises.
• Source – Buying from a breeder is cheaper than a pet store.
• Legality – Species native to your area are easiest to acquire.

Here are some websites selling praying mantises and the prices they charge:

Praying Mantis Shop

• Praying Mantis Egg Case (Ootheca): From $7.50 USD
• Praying Mantis Basic Kit with Egg Case: $34.50 (≈2.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) USD
• Praying Mantis Living Juvenile: $12.50 (≈50 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour) USD, sale price $10.50 (≈42 minutes that you'd need to work at $15/hour) USD
• Praying Mantis Discovery Kit with Live Mantids: $49.50 (≈3.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) USD
• Gift - Pop-Up 3D Mantis Greeting Card: $7.50 USD
• Wall Poster - Purple Flower Prayer: $42.00 (≈2.8 hours of labor required at $15/hour) USD
• Puzzle - 3D Paper Mantis Jigsaw Model: $8.50 USD
• Puzzle Jigsaw - Neon Sign Mantis: $68.00 (≈4.5 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) USD

PanTerra Pets

• Chinese Mantis (T. sinensis): From $12.99 (≈52 minutes of constant effort at a $15/hour wage)
• Hierodula Indonesia: $19.99 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)
• Peruvian Leaf Mantis (P. Perpulchra): From $19.99 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)

Buglogical

• 3 Praying Mantis egg cases: $18.95 (≈1.3 hours spent earning money at $15/hour)
• 5 Praying Mantis egg cases: $23.95 (≈1.6 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)
• 10 Praying Mantis egg cases: $33.95 (≈2.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• 15 Praying Mantis egg cases: $46.10 (≈3.1 hours working without breaks at $15/hour)

No matter your budget, there are mantis options available as pets. Doing research to select the right species for your experience level and needs is recommended.

Praying Mantises as Pets

There are over 2,000 different praying mantis species, but only a handful are commonly kept as pets. Some popular options include:

• Carolina Mantis – Native to North America and easy to care for. Vibrant green color. $10-$25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) range.
• Chinese Mantis – Also green. Larger size at 4-5 inches long. $15-$35 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) range.
• Orchid Mantis – Beautiful pink coloration. More delicate. Rarer find. Up to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job).
• Ghost Mantis – White color blends into plants. Needs higher humidity. $25-$75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) range.

These insectivores eat live prey like flies, crickets, and mealworms. They require a ventilated habitat like a mesh cage or terrarium, with branches, plants, and sticks for climbing and shedding. Proper temperature, humidity, lighting, and molting support should be provided.

With the right setup, praying mantises can live 6 months up to a year, with females tending to live longer than males. Taking the time to research and select the species best suited to your experience level and budget is key before making a purchase.

Factors Influencing Praying Mantis Costs

Prices for live praying mantis pets are influenced by a few important factors:

Species and Size

• Rare, brightly colored, or larger species are more expensive. Common green varieties are cheaper.
• Adults cost more than smaller nymphs and young mantises.

Source

• Buying from a breeder is cheaper than a pet store. Breeders often sell nymphs and young mantises for $10-$25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour).
• Pet stores offer convenience but often charge higher prices for adults and rarer species. $25-$75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) range.
• Buying wild-caught native mantises is illegal in many states.

Legality

• Species native to your area are legal to own without permits. Exotics may require permits.
• Only buy from reputable, ethical sources that breed or legally import insects.

Doing research to select the right legal species for your budget and experience level is advised.

Initial Setup and Ongoing Care Costs

The initial investment for housing and feeding a praying mantis averages $50 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job). Ongoing monthly care costs are approximately $20 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour). Breakdown of expenses:

Habitat Setup

• Enclosure - $20 to $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for a mesh cage or glass terrarium (10+ gallons recommended).
• Substrate - $5 to $20 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) for soil, bark, and moss. Helps provide footing and humidity.
• Plants - $5 to $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) for plastic plants and sticks to climb on.
• Heating and lighting - $15 to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for special heating and UVB bulbs if needed.
• Humidity aids - $5 for a light misting bottle. $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) for a humidity gauge.

Total initial setup range: $50 to $150.

Also read our articles about owning a falcon, a cheetah, and lion cub.

Monthly Care Costs

• Food - $10 to $20 per month for live insects like crickets, flies, and roaches. Adults eat more.
• Supplements - $5 for calcium and vitamins to gut load feeder insects.
• Habitat maintenance - $5 for additional substrate, plants, and cleaning supplies as needed.
• Humidity and temperature - Electricity costs if heating and lighting is used.

Typical monthly costs: $20 to $40 per month.

Researching their needs and providing the right habitat is key to mantis health. Proper care has ongoing costs, so make sure to budget accordingly.

Where to Buy a Praying Mantis

Finding a legal, ethical source for purchasing praying mantises is recommended. Here are some options:

• Search for well-reviewed breeders online to buy captive-bred nymphs and young mantises legally. Often cheaper.
• Visit your local exotic pet store. Look for healthy, active insects. Higher prices likely.
• Reptile shows sometimes have insect vendors with mantis selection. Varies.
• Avoid wild-caught specimens. Only buy captive-bred insects.

Select a reputable source with proper breeding and care knowledge. Ask questions before purchasing to ensure a good match.

Conclusion

Praying mantises are fascinating exotic pets, but providing proper care has costs. With their unique features, behaviors, and needs, mantises offer a rewarding companion for insect enthusiasts who are prepared to give them a suitable habitat and diet.

By understanding the species variations, average prices, and setup requirements covered here, you can make an informed decision if a praying mantis is the right fit for your budget and lifestyle. With good planning and the right commitment, these intriguing insects can make for a wonderful pet experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy a praying mantis as a pet?

Yes, praying mantises are legal to own as pets in most states. They are commonly bred and sold by insect breeders, exotic pet stores, and at reptile expos. Do research to select the right species for your experience level. Ensure the seller is reputable and obtains insects ethically and legally.

Is it legal to own a praying mantis?

It depends on the species and your state's laws. Native species like the Carolina mantis can be owned without permits in most states. Exotic species may require permits or have restrictions. Check your local exotic pet laws. Only buy captive-bred insects from ethical, legal sources. Avoid any wild-caught specimens.

Do praying mantis bites hurt?

Praying mantis bites are not venomous or dangerous to humans. Larger species can give a painful pinch with their front legs if threatened, but they rarely bite humans handling them gently. Their bite could break skin but is more startling than harmful. Gentle handling minimizes any risk.