How Much Does a Praying Mantis Really Cost?
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Praying mantises are one of the most affordable exotic pets available, cheap to buy and cheap to keep, with one important caveat about how long you'll have one.
The Mantis: $15 to $150
Common species like Carolina and Chinese mantises run $15 to $35. Ghost mantises run $15 to $75 depending on age and quality. Orchid mantises, prized for their striking appearance, can reach $150. Most species stay well under $75 even as full adults.
Buy an adult or subadult, not a nymph. Nymphs are genuinely difficult to keep alive through their many molts, and a beginner is much better served starting with an animal that's already past that fragile early stage.
Upfront Setup: Roughly $50 to $150
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| The mantis itself (adult or subadult) | $15 - $75 (up to $150 for orchid mantises) |
| Tall mesh or acrylic enclosure | $60 - $70 |
| Coconut fiber and peat substrate | $10 - $16 |
| Branches and climbing structures | $15 - $30 |
| Mist system or spray bottle (optional) | $7 - $12 |
| Feeding tongs (fine-tip precision, optional) | $10 - $18 |
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A properly sized enclosure, taller than it is wide, matters more for this species than almost any other invertebrate. Branches or mesh double as both a climbing surface and the anchor point for a safe molt, so this is one line item, not two. Altogether, most first-time setups land around $50 to $150.
Ongoing Costs: Roughly $10 to $40 a Month
Live feeder insects are the main expense. Fruit fly cultures run $5 to $10 each, and crickets cost roughly 10 to 50 cents apiece depending on size. Occasional supplements round out the monthly total. Feeder insects are perishable and bought as needed rather than stocked up front, so this cost stays a steady, modest monthly line rather than a big one-time purchase.
Vet Costs
Essentially none. Exotic vets rarely treat invertebrates, and mantis care is entirely husbandry-based. Correct humidity, proper feeding, and careful handling around molting time do far more for a mantis's health than any veterinary intervention could.
Lifespan: Short, and Worth Knowing Upfront
This is the detail that matters most for setting expectations. Most commonly kept mantis species live just 6 to 12 months total, Chinese mantises toward 8 to 12 months, African mantises closer to 6 to 9 months, with females typically outliving males. A small number of species can reach around 18 months under excellent care.
A pet praying mantis typically lives just 6 to 12 months from purchase, a genuinely short commitment, closer in length to a garden project than a typical pet.
It's worth going into mantis keeping with that expectation rather than being caught off guard by it. If you're weighing this against other invertebrates, our Tarantula cost guide and Emperor Scorpion cost guide sit at the opposite end of the spectrum, both are multi-year to multi-decade commitments on a similarly small budget.
The mantis's short lifespan is one of four numbers worth knowing before you buy in Four Pets, Four Different Right Numbers, alongside the boa constrictor, sugar glider, and neon tetra.
Sources & Further Reading
Last reviewed 22 Jul 2026 · 2 sources
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a praying mantis cost?
$15 to $35 for common species like the Carolina and Chinese. Ghost mantises are $15 to $75 by age and quality, and an orchid mantis, prized for its striking appearance, can reach $150. Most species stay well under $75 as adults. Buy an adult or subadult rather than a nymph, which is difficult to keep alive through its many molts.
What does the upfront setup cost for a praying mantis?
Roughly $50 to $150, covering a properly sized enclosure that's taller than it is wide, substrate, branches or mesh for climbing and molting, and optional heating or misting equipment depending on the species.
What are the ongoing monthly costs of keeping a praying mantis?
Roughly $10 to $40 a month, nearly all of it live feeder insects: $5 to $10 for a fruit fly culture, roughly 10 to 50 cents per cricket by size, plus occasional supplements.
Do praying mantises need vet care?
Essentially none. Invertebrates are rarely treated by exotic vets, and mantis care is husbandry from end to end: humidity, feeding, and careful handling around a molt do the work a vet otherwise would.
How long do praying mantises live, and how does that affect budgeting?
Just 6 to 12 months for most kept species: Chinese mantises toward 8 to 12, African mantises closer to 6 to 9, with females typically outliving males. A few species reach around 18 months under excellent care. That makes it a very short commitment, closer to a garden project in length.
📰 More on the Praying Mantis
📘 Praying Mantis care guide
🦗 Should You Handle a Praying Mantis? Gently, and Rarely
🦗 Common Praying Mantis Health Issues (Molting Is Where Nearly Everything Goes Wrong)
🦗 Praying Mantis Enclosure Setup: Height, Humidity, and a Mesh Lid
🕷️ 10 Surprising Praying Mantis Facts
🦗 Praying Mantis Ootheca: What to Do If Your Mantis Lays Eggs
🛒 Recommended Gear
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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