Tanzanian Boxer Mantis (Otomantis sp.)

Tanzanian Boxer Mantis Otomantis sp.
Name	Tanzanian Boxer Mantis
Name Lat.	Otomantis sp.
Family	Flower Mantids
Family lat.	Hymenopodidae
Order	Praying Mantids
Order lat.	Mantodea
Origin	Africa
Habitat	Savanna
Diet	Flying insects, meadow plankton
Humidity	50-70 %
Behavior	Predatory
Keeping	Individual
Care Level	Easy
Housing	Dry terrarium
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	2-4 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	2-3 cm
Temperature Day	27-30 °C
Temperature Night	20-23 °C
Housing Size	20 x 20 x 30 cm
US Units
Size	0.8"-1.2"
Temperature Day	81-86 °F
Temperature Night	68-73 °F
Housing Size	10" x 10" x 10"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the diurnal South African Dwarf Mantis extends across sub-Saharan East and Central Africa and South Africa. They inhabit the dry savannas, where they live in the foliage of bushes.

Maintenance

For one female, or for a group of up to 5 males, an insectarium of 20 x 20 x 30 cm (L x W x H) can be recommended as a guideline, which should be placed in a quiet place without direct sunlight. A cover made of gauze or fine metal mesh is recommended

You need an insectarium not too densely structured with sufficiently thin climbing branches (hiding places, visual protection) and dry grasses, a substrate of sand-earth mixture (terrarium humus) and a small, shallow drinking vessel with water gel or a absorbent cotton drinker. Artificial or live plants are suitable for decoration

The insectarium should be finely sprayed lightly with water inside every 2-3 days, preferably in the evening. Too much moisture is not tolerated.

Temp. day: 27-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-23 °C

Humidity: 50-70

The lighting duration should be 12 hrs. Light sources that also produce the necessary heat are ideal.

Diet

They are predatory and seize the prey, preferably flying insects, with lightning speed from an angled lying-in-wait position with their tentacles. The food supply should consist of small crickets, house crickets, flies (Drosophila) and wax moths, small butterflies and cockroaches, etc., but also meadow plankton. It is important to regularly add minerals and vitamins (e.g. by dusting the feeders). The quality of the feeders can be enhanced by feeding overripe fruit and honey water. A few days before, during and after molting, they refuse to eat. During molting, no predatory feeders (e.g. crickets) should remain in the insectarium, as during this time the animals are unprotected and may become prey themselves.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The females are slightly larger and stronger than the males, which are a little slimmer

After mating, the female lays the first egg package (ootheca). More can follow. The young are only a few millimeters long, black in color, and resemble ants (mimicry). They should be fed immediately with small fruit flies or microheims so that they do not eat each other (cannibalism)

After the imaginal molt, the males live for about 2 months, the life expectancy of the females is another 3-4 months

Important

Prior to mating, a larger food animal should be offered to the female to reduce the risk of her eating the male. It is recommended to keep females singly.

They have very good camouflage (mimesis) due to their body shape and coloration and their often long-lasting immobility.

Before purchasing, an insectarium should be prepared that meets the species specific needs. Good ventilation without drafts is necessary, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. Lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and should be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The insectarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Special attention must be paid to thorough hygiene and contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Serena Werle; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: HENKEL & SCHMIDT (2010): Taschenatlas Wirbellose für das Terrarium, Verlag Ulmer; ENGELMAN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch