African Giant

Sphodromantis kersteni is one of several species in the sphodromantis genus with the common name Giant African Mantis. They are a large, robust species hailing from Kenya, Tanzania, and Sudan. They are a fairly easy species to keep are very active hunters making them very interesting to watch. They can come in shades of yellows, tans and greens.

Feeding

Flying insects are the preferred source of food. As nymphs fruit flies are the ideal food source and increase to house flies and blue/green bottle flies as they get larger. They also will enjoy moths or other harmless flying insects. It’s recommended that the size of the feeder insect does not exceed 1/2 the mantis length.

Adults can eat crickets or roaches however they don’t often climb up high enough to where the mantis is hiding and go uneaten. Most pet stores sell fruit flies and wax worms that can be grown into moths. Larger flies can found easily from online suppliers or sometimes from bait shops.