Otomantis scutigera (commonly known as the Daemon Boxer Mantis) is a compact, highly energetic mantis native to south-eastern and eastern Africa. Famous for its feisty "boxer" defensive display where it rotates its forelegs in arcs, this small, 3-cm species is a popular and charismatic choice among insect hobbyists.
 
Quick Facts
Size: Small, reaching roughly 3 cm in length.
Origin: Native to south-eastern Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Temperament: Active, alert, and charismatic; frequently observed raising and rotating its forelegs when startled.
 
Care and Keeping
Diet: In captivity, young mantises feed on fruit flies (such as Drosophila melanogaster) moving up to larger flying insects as they grow.
Enclosure: Requires an enclosure with adequate vertical space, as they need proper hanging room to hunt and successfully moult.
Housing: They need proper mesh or twigs to grip, as the species utilizes natural hooks on their feet for climbing and hanging upside down.