Congo Green Mantis (S. aurea)

Sphodromantis is a genus of mantis which contains many different species below it. Each species varies a bit in color and appearance, but for the most part all specimens in this genus are large, native throughout Africa, and have near identical care requirements.

Due to the size and classic shape of this genus of mantis, mantises under the Sphodromantis umbrella are some of the most popular and commonly kept pet mantises in the hobby. Not to mention they are great for beginners, and are known to be hardy and easy to keep and breed!

As a nymph, the Congo Green mantis (Sphodromantis aurea) is most often green with red accents on their backs, heads and legs. Adults can come in a range of different colors, such as green, yellow, beige and brown.

They have fierce appetites, and it is fascinating to watch them aggressively hunt down fairly large prey!  They are not your sit and wait kind of predators, like so many other mantises.

These mantises can be kept successfully in a living vivarium with live plants and microfauna, or in a temporary enclosure such as a mesh cage or screen cage, with silk plants (such as an Ivy Branch, Leafy Branch, Orchid Flower, or White Flower) and an easily disposable substrate such as sphagnum moss, or even just a paper towel that you can change once a week. They are generally a hardy species and very low maintenance to care for, so they will be happy in any enclosure really, as long as it is big enough for them. These mantises are one of the most highly cannibalistic of all mantis species, and should be individually housed after the second instar.

For more information, check out our
Giant African Mantis Caresheet.

THIS MANTIS IS NOT NATIVE TO THE U.S. AND IS NOT TO BE RELEASED OUTDOORS!