Dragon Praying Mantis
Dragon Praying Mantis
Name Dutch: Dragon Praying Mantis
Scientific name: Stenophylla lobivertex
Age: Several weeks to months
Height: On average 4-5 cm and no difference between men and women
Day temperature: Average 26 and between 24 and 30 degrees
Humidity: 60-80%
Activity: Day active
Legislation: None
Stay: Terrariums
Recommended Dimension: 20x20x30cm
Description
The Dragon Praying Mantis, scientifically known as Stenophylla Lobivertex and also as the Dragon Praying Mantis, is an extraordinary and intriguing insect species that seems to have stepped out of a sci-fi movie. With his unique appearance and fiery appearance, he has earned the name “Dragon”. This unusual praying mantis bears a striking resemblance to a mythical creature and is often regarded as a small, living work of art in the world of insects
The Dragon Praying Mantis can be recognized by its body which is beautifully modeled after the design of an ancient dragon. The angular and pointed contours of its head and thorax reflect the delicate details of dragon scales. Its legs are slender and agile, giving it a graceful and majestic appearance
This species is native to tropical parts of South and Central America, but can also be found in parts of Puerto Rico, Florida, and Hawaii. Unlike other praying mantises, the wings of the Dragon Praying Mantis are translucent enough to allow the rays of the sun to pass through.
Feeding and Hunting
The Dragon Mantis (Stenophylla Lobivertex) hunts for prey using a lurking or sit-and-wait strategy, like other mantises. This hunting technique is also known as "ambush predation".
Here's how the Dragon Praying Mantis hunting process works:
- camouflage: The Praying Mantis has a unique and perfect camouflage that helps it to blend in with its surroundings. Its body color and shape closely resemble the mythical dragon, making it virtually invisible among the vegetation in which it lives. This camouflage allows it to remain unseen to both predators and prey.
- Sit and wait: Once camouflaged, the Praying Mantis sits motionless among the leaves or on a branch, patiently waiting for unsuspecting prey to come within its reach. It uses its excellent eyesight to spy and identify prey.
- Attack: As soon as suitable prey is within reach, the Praying Mantis strikes at lightning speed. With its sharp grasping claws on the front legs, it grabs prey with precision and speed.
- Catch and feeding: After catching the prey, the Praying Mantis uses its sharp jaws to immobilize the prey. It then secretes digestive enzymes to digest the soft tissue of the prey. The liquid tissue is sucked up, allowing the Dragon Praying Mantis to feed.
Thanks to its excellent camouflage and lurking strategy, the Praying Mantis is a masterful hunter. It surprises its prey unexpectedly and can go unnoticed among the environment it finds itself in, making it a fascinating and efficient predator in its natural habitat.
Feeding a Dragon Praying Mantis
As a true carnivore, it is essential to feed this special Dragon Praying Mantis in captivity with an appropriate diet. This diet consists of several types of live insects, such as fruit flies, small crickets, and midges.
To ensure that your Dragon Praying Mantis gets all the nutrients it needs, it is recommended to feed it on average 3 times a week. However, it is crucial to maintain a feeding schedule to avoid overfeeding as this can cause health problems that can be fatal.
After feeding, it is essential to remove uneaten prey from the enclosure. This prevents disturbance during the important molting process and ensures that the prey will not see your Dragon Praying Mantis as a potential snack.
Carefully and regularly feeding your Dragon Praying Mantis with the correct live diet will contribute to its wellbeing and health as a pet. By observing its unique hunting behavior and admiring its perfect camouflage, you will surely enjoy these unique and mysterious insects.
Holding a Dragon Praying Mantis
A Dragon Praying Mantis is a fascinating pet with a mythical appearance to keep. These unique and beautiful creatures bear striking resemblances to dragons. This makes them masterful hunters who can camouflage themselves perfectly between their surroundings.
To ensure a healthy living environment, it is crucial to meet their specific needs accurately, as Dragon Praying Mantises are not an easy species to keep.
Setting up a suitable terrarium is essential to provide a comfortable living environment for your praying mantis. A special insect terrarium with a minimum size of 10x10x15cm is required, we advise to go for a terrarium with the size of 20x20x30cm.
Provide plenty of climbing opportunities, such as branches, leaves and plants, creating an environment similar to their natural habitat to make your Dragon Praying Mantis feel comfortable. These insects are masters of camouflage, and mimicking their natural environment will contribute to their well-being.
Maintaining the correct temperature is very important for the health of your Dragon Praying Mantis. The daytime temperature should be between 24 and 30 degrees with a perfect average of 26 degrees. In addition, it is essential to keep the humidity between 60% and 80%. Regular spraying of water will help maintain proper humidity levels and meet their moisture needs.
Care of your Dragon Praying Mantis
A proper feeding schedule is essential for the Dragon Praying Mantis to ensure it gets all the nutrients it needs and stays healthy. It is also important to provide a varied diet and avoid overfeeding.
The Praying Mantis stays hydrated by drinking drops of water from its habitat. That is why it is crucial to spray your terrarium regularly with a fine mist, so that small water droplets appear on the leaves and surfaces.
Keeping the terrarium clean is also important for your Praying Mantis. Remove feces and any food scraps from the terrarium to keep it clean. It is recommended to completely replace your terrarium's bedding every 6 to 8 weeks.
Always do this carefully so as not to disturb your Praying Mantis too much. By performing regular maintenance, you ensure that your Dragon Praying Mantis lives in a healthy and hygienic environment.
