If you’re considering bringing one of the most unique and stunning creatures into a new enclosure, the Omomantis zebrata is an excellent choice.
With their colorful and bold striped pattern on their bodies, they are certain to dot your tank with beauty.
But caring for a Zebra Mantis properly requires knowledge of enclosure requirements, feeding, and other health matters.
This article will provide an in-depth guide on how to properly care for and maintain your Pet Mantis.
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Zebra Mantis |
| Family Name | Mantidae |
| Scientific Name | Omomantis zebrata |
| Use | Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 8 to 12 Months |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Adult Size | 2 to 3 in |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Minimum Tank Size | 1 to 5 Gallons |
| pH | 7.0-7.1 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 65-82°F |
What Are Zebra Mantis?
Omomantis zebrata is a type of praying mantis belonging to the Mantidae family.
The common name “Zebra Mantis” comes from the striking stripes of zebra-like stripes that cover its body.
When disturbed this mantis will often display its remarkable flying abilities with a flight of up to 50 meters!
O. zebrata is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Though small, they are a voracious predator of insects – making them a great asset to any tank or garden.
What Does Zebra Mantis Look Like?
Omomantis zebrata is a captivating species of mantis.
Their bodies are adorned with a unique striped pattern of bright bold colors such as yellow, pink, blue, and green, with a black border running along the outside edge of each color.
They are relatively small in size, with their bodies growing anywhere between 2-3 inches with females growing an inch larger than males.
Their front legs are noticeably longer than their back legs and are equipped with spikes that they use to catch their prey.
Their heads are triangular and have a pair of big eyes at the front, which allows them to see in many directions and detect small movements in the air.
Benefits Of Using Zebra Mantis
One of the key benefits of using Omomantis zebrata in a vivarium is their minimal need for space.
Since Zebra Mantises are small, they are perfect in small or medium-sized enclosures.
In addition to their minimal need for space, these mantises also do not require any specialized light or heating equipment.
This makes them a great choice if you are looking to set up an enclosure with low energy costs.
Lastly, O. zebrata is a highly active predator which can help to maintain balanced populations of insects and other species in the vivarium.
Zebra Mantis Facts
Omomantis zebrata is a stunning insect native to Africa with a beautiful patchwork of vivid stripes and colors covering its body.
This mantis typically feeds on crickets, roaches, and other insects in the wild, and the average lifespan is close to a year.
Their temperament is usually quite docile and they are a fairly easy species to breed.
With the proper care and attention, keeping a Zebra Mantis as a pet can be both rewarding and fulfilling.
Habitat
Omomantis zebrata is a species of mantis that originates from Central and West Africa, specifically parts of Cameroon, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
They prefer warm climates and can be found in dry savannahs and other open and grassy areas.
Because of their looming and slow-moving behavior, they can easily blend into their backgrounds of dry grass stem.
Diet
The Zebra Mantis is an insectivorous insect that feeds mainly on other small insects in their natural habitat.
They tend to hide during the day and become more active at night to hunt prey more effectively.
Omomantis zebrata will occasionally feed on small flowers with nectar and pollen, but will mostly feed on their normal insect diet.
They feed primarily on any small, slow-moving insects they can find such as flies, ants, and other small garden bugs.
Due to their small size, they cannot tackle prey much larger than themselves.
In their natural habitat, the Zebra Mantis will also eat any nutritious plants or decaying vegetation they come across, so this should also be taken into account when providing food for them in captivity.
Temperament
Omomantis zebrata is a generally peaceful creature and does not show aggression towards humans or other animals.
They are considered to be quite docile and you can often observe them admiring their surroundings with their quick eyes.
O. zebrata can also be considered shy as they tend to hide or move away when they fear danger.
They are also quite active in the mornings and evenings and may exhibit some curious behavior during this time.
Despite, having a small size they are quite brave and will not hesitate to come out and explore their habitats if they feel safe and comfortable.
Furthermore, they are also excellent climbers and may even try to climb on your shoulder and hands when they are offered food.
Lifespan
The Zebra Mantis is a long-living species of mantis, typically living up to a year in captivity.
It has four life stages – egg, nymph, adult, and reproductive adult.
The egg stage consists of a single egg which can remain viable for up to 2 months before hatching into a nymph.
A nymph will shed its skin 6-7 times throughout its lifespan, before maturing into an adult.
During the reproductive adult stage, the female will typically lay about 100-200 eggs.
Breeding
Omomantis zebrata reproduces sexually, through mating.
The female Zebra Mantis attracts a mate by releasing pheromones into the air.
This attracts the males, which can identify the pheromones from up to 7 feet away, helping them locate a potential mate.
Once a male finds a female, they will engage in a courtship dance that lasts for about an hour.
At the end of the dance, the male will lay a sperm capsule, which the female will then use to fertilize her eggs.
A female mantis can lay a clutch (or egg sac) of up to 200 eggs during her lifetime.
The eggs are usually laid on twigs, leaves, and stems and it takes about 2 weeks for them to hatch.
The newly hatched nymphs resemble miniature adult mantes and will start the life cycle all over again.
Where To Find Zebra Mantis
Finding a Zebra Mantis for purchase or in the wild can vary in difficulty depending on the region.
If you live in areas like the subtropics of East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, you may be more likely to find them in the wild.
However, due to their increasing popularity in the exotic pet trade, locating them for sale has become a bit easier.
Before purchasing Omomantis zebrata, make sure it is coming from a reputable breeder.
Make sure to check the temperature and humidity guidelines for the shipping container, and ensure that the mantis is not crowded or over-stressed during the shipping process.
The last thing you would want is for your pet to become injured or sick.
Zebra Mantis Care
Caring for Omomantis zebrata requires providing them with an appropriate enclosure, access to the correct nutrition and food, as well as monitoring for any health issues.
It is also essential to understand the species’ behavioral and enclosure requirements to provide them with the best living environment and optimal care.
Tank Requirements
When it comes to the enclosure of a Zebra Mantis, a paludarium or terrarium is the ideal choice.
These tanks should have a pH of 6.0-7.5, a hardness of 5-10 gh, and a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The terrarium substrate is very important for these creatures – an inch of coco fiber soil mixed with dead leaves or bark should do just fine.
As for terrarium lighting, a fluorescent bulb should provide sufficient lighting with a photoperiod of 10-12 hours while also producing a few daylight hours of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Do Zebra Mantis Eat?
Feeding a Zebra Mantis should be done at least once a week.
They can be fed a variety of live food such as flies, moths, small crickets, spiders, cockroaches, and mealworms.
To provide Omomantis zebrata with the necessary nutrition, mix in some calcium powder to the food before offering it.
Provide food just big enough that your mantis can consume them without difficulty and never give a meal that is too large.
It is good practice to only provide fresh food to your Zebra Mantis.
If you notice any uneaten food, remove it as soon as possible, to avoid spoiling.
Vary the diet of O. zebrata to ensure you are providing them with the nutrients they need.
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these critters, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY Praying Mantis food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Zebra Mantis
In terms of suitable tankmates for the Zebra Mantis, it’s best to avoid any big, predatory insects such as large spiders, beetles, and other large mantids.
To avoid any overly-aggressive hunts, it’s best to select an appropriate partner that is the same or slightly larger size than Omomantis zebrata.
Choice tankmates for the praying mantis can include other non-predatory insects such as other small millipede species, stick insects, and roaches.
Bristle worms, small terrarium snails, and even some amphibians such as dart frogs may also be suitable.
These animals can complement the Zebra Mantis and provide an aesthetically pleasing display within the tank.
It’s best to slightly adjust any tankmates to the size of the Zebra Mantis, adding in them once your mantis has fully developed into an adult.
Providing your mantis with a proper tankmate or two can provide a healthy additional living environment and facilitate growth and well-being.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide has detailed everything you need to know about caring for Omomantis zebrata.
From enclosure requirements and feeding to handling and common health concerns, this guide will provide you with the essential information to ensure that you can provide the best care for your pet Zebra Mantis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The zebra mantis (Omomantis zebrata) typically grows to be about 2–3 inches in length.
The zebra mantis (Omomantis zebrata) is native to Africa and parts of the Middle East.
A zebra mantis (Omomantis zebrata) typically lives for a period of 8 – 12 months.