Ratmosphere
Well-known member
Would a spiny flower mantis be hard to raise if you're a beginner?
Spiny flower mantis
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PyroCinnamon
Member
No not at all. For me at least this was my first species and as long as you feed it regularly keep the temperature and humidity right it doesn't really require that much extra care. It will eat fruit flies up to L3 and then you can just switch over to small crickets or baby dubias. The only thing is they aren't terribly cheap like say a Giant Asian Mantis, Giant African Mantis, or Chinese Mantis. But as long as you take good care of it you should be perfectly fine.
@Ratmosphere You should be fine with the species, they do great with larger prey too than other species of the same size. The only thing of note is to avoid excess moisture as they are prone to bacteria infections - see the care sheet here, and another one here. In that regard cross ventilation in it's habitat, or using a net cage habitat should prevent the problem even if it is over watered/misted a bit.
Ratmosphere
Well-known member
How about a Malaysian dead leaf mantis?
Depends on which species in particular, as there are two mantids with that title and they do vary (as often the case, use the scientific name when possible); however, both are not suited for absolute beginners and will require heating as they require 80-85F during days and 75F at nights (the most typical recommended settings).
The Deroplatys desiccata species is the hardier of the two species, and if you have had experience keeping humidity and temperature levels for a related pet you may be fine with this species; although, it does need some experienced husbandry care. Caresheet here, another here, and here too.
The Deroplatys lobata species is one that requires intermediate care, and if you have not kept mantids for any length of time and have developed husbandry care for mantids, it is a species to avoid. Care sheet here (3rd one), another here, and here too.
Personally I had two lobata females (after my first season with mantids) I got them at L2 and had them to L8 adults without a single issue. Then when I was arranging to get some males to mate my girls, both girls died mysteriously within a few days of one another and less than a week before mating. They were the single case of possible cricket problem I ever had with mantids, but I honestly do not even think that was the problem; however, I have no idea what did happen to them (as is nearly always the case with mantids).
Regarding beginner species this is a list I put together, any species not found on this list will require advanced, intermediate, or expert care. Also if you are looking at species for sale, the more exotic a mantid looks the more experienced care that is typically required for them - of course not always is that true, such as the Ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa), but nearly 90% of the time.
