Prohierodula picta – Giant Praying Mantis for Rainforest Terrariums

Prohierodula picta is a large and robust praying mantis native to the tropical forests of Africa. The species is found in Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other places. There, it lives in bushes, shrubs, and trees, where it waits motionless for prey. At the same time, it uses its natural camouflage so that it goes virtually unnoticed by insects.

Thanks to its size, calm nature, and fascinating hunting behavior, Prohierodula picta is one of the species that are excellent to observe. It also eats reliably and grows rapidly under good conditions. For this reason, it is particularly popular among keepers who already have some experience with praying mantises.

Prohierodula picta and the Right Terrarium

For an adult animal, we recommend a terrarium measuring at least 30 × 30 × 42 cm. Height is important because the animals spend almost the entire day perched up high. At the same time, they need enough space to ensure that each molt can take place safely.

The terrarium should have plenty of vertical branches. In addition, cork bark and live plants provide hiding places. This makes the terrarium look more natural and, at the same time, makes the praying mantis feel much safer.

A loose substrate made of forest humus retains moisture. At the same time, good aeration prevents permanently wet areas from forming.

How to Properly Care for Prohierodula picta

The ideal temperatures range from 24 to 28 °C. The temperature may drop slightly at night. At the same time, the humidity should be between 60 and 80% to ensure that molting proceeds without any problems.

Spray the terrarium regularly with lime-free water. At the same time, allow the terrarium to dry slightly between sprayings, because constantly damp air can promote mold growth.

Good air circulation is therefore just as important as the right level of humidity.

Prohierodula picta is an excellent hunter

This species often waits patiently for its prey. As soon as a prey animal approaches, it strikes with lightning speed. This makes for some exciting hunting scenes.

Among other things, the following can be fed:

Gold flies
Cockroaches
Cricket
Locusts
Flying

Young animals need to be fed more frequently, while adult animals are usually fed once or twice a week.

Prohierodula picta displays impressive threatening behavior

When a praying mantis feels threatened, it raises its thorax. At the same time, it spreads its antennae and opens its wings. This makes the insect appear much larger and is intended to deter predators.

It is precisely this behavior that makes Prohierodula picta particularly interesting to many keepers, because it is rarely observed and looks very impressive.

Prohierodula picta is easy to observe

This species is often perched in plain sight on branches or leaves. At the same time, it tracks every movement with its eyes. This makes it seem very alert and keeps it fascinating to watch even when it isn’t feeding.

Although she seems calm, she reacts to prey within seconds. That is exactly what makes her so fascinating.

Successfully Breeding Prohierodula picta

Under the right conditions, this species breeds well. After mating, the female lays several oothecae. Many young can hatch from each ootheca, so you should allow for enough space to raise them.

Young animals grow quickly when fed well. At the same time, they should be separated early on because cannibalism can occur.

Who is Prohierodula picta suitable for?

This species is well-suited for keepers with some experience. Beginners can also care for them if they familiarize themselves with their needs beforehand.

If you’re looking for a large, calm, and interesting praying mantis, Prohierodula picta is an excellent choice.

Advantages at a glance

African Giant Mantis
A Strong and Reliable Huntress
Impressive Threat Behavior
Calm behavior
Worth watching
Rapid Growth
Suitable for tropical terrariums
Natural Camouflage
Interesting Offspring
Ideal for owners with some experience

Suitable accessories for your setup

For successful care, we recommend:

Repto Terra Sky as a suitable terrarium
Forest humus as a moisture-retaining substrate
Insektenliebe Tropical Rain Spray
Repto Flex Rainmaker 2.0 for even misting
Repto Flat LED for Healthy Plant Growth
Insektenliebe Hygro-Therm for Controlling Temperature and Humidity

This creates a stable climate, while plants and animals alike benefit from the ideal conditions.

Conclusion

Prohierodula picta combines impressive size with a calm disposition and fascinating hunting behavior. At the same time, this species is easy to care for and breed under the right conditions. That’s why it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a large African praying mantis and wanting to provide it with a rainforest terrarium that closely mimics its natural habitat.

Prohierodula picta

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