Cat Eyed Mantis (Heterochaeta orientalis)

This is an extra large species of mantis! They are called a cat mantis because if you look closely at their eyes, they are pointy and resemble cat ears. They tolerate being handled very, very well. Many people will mistake them for stick insects, but don’t be fooled, this is a praying mantis species! They do best in full mesh enclosures, as they require a large amount of gripping surface when molting. One of the biggest challenges with the larger species is falling during molting due to their heavy weight. They MUST have enough mesh on the top of their enclosures to get an excellent grip, to hold their weight as gravity pulls them out of their molt.

Currently feeding on houseflies, misted daily with bottled spring water and housed in a full mesh “butterfly” cube (available on Amazon!). Houseflies are not feeders that are easily available at normal pet stores, so advise to order these in advance from online feeder shops.