Praying mantises are fascinating creatures that make great pets for those who are interested in insects. They are relatively low-maintenance, and they can be very entertaining to watch. However, it is important to know what to feed a pet praying mantis so that it can stay healthy and thrive.

What to Feed a Pet Praying Mantis

Live Insects

The best food for a pet praying mantis is live insects. This is because praying mantises are predators, and they need to eat live prey in order to get the nutrients they need. Some common insects that you can feed your praying mantis include:

1. Crickets

2. Grasshoppers

3. Flies

4. Moths

5. Butterflies

You can find live insects at most pet stores. You can also catch them yourself in your backyard or at a local park.

Supplements

In addition to live insects, you can also give your praying mantis supplements to help it stay healthy. Some common supplements include:

1. Calcium

2. Phosphorus

3. Potassium

4. Magnesium

5. Vitamin D3

You can find supplements for praying mantises at most pet stores.

How Much to Feed a Praying Mantis

The amount of food you need to give your praying mantis will depend on its size and age. A young praying mantis will need to eat more often than an adult praying mantis. In general, you should feed your praying mantis as much as it can eat in 10-15 minutes. If you are not sure how much to feed your praying mantis, you can ask your veterinarian.

How Often to Feed a Praying Mantis

The frequency with which you need to feed your praying mantis will also depend on its size and age. A young praying mantis will need to eat more often than an adult praying mantis. In general, you should feed your praying mantis every 2-3 days. If you are not sure how often to feed your praying mantis, you can ask your veterinarian.

What Not to Feed a Praying Mantis

There are some things that you should not feed your praying mantis. These include:

1. Dead insects

2. Insects that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides

3. Insects that are too large for your praying mantis to eat

4. Insects that are poisonous or venomous

If you are not sure whether or not a particular insect is safe to feed your praying mantis, you should ask your veterinarian.