RAW Exotics

07/10/2026

So we are now back home and what wonderful weather we have brought back with us! (Sense the sarcasm there).
Although the weather in Crete wasnt the greatest we did still enjoy some wonderful days out even if only for a few hours to explore. As always we found a variety of wildlife and I have to say this has been the most mantis we have seen on a holiday. Was a lot of Iris oratoria and Mantis religiosa along with Rivetina balcanica and Ameles heldreichi but although we found a lot of Hierodula Transcaucasica ootheca, we didnt find one adult specimen.
Will spam away with some of the species we found and some of the local cats that are very well looked after in Crete.

30/09/2026

So another outing today to the harbour. On the walk back to the hotel we made a little detour down and ended up in some bushes down an alley, trust me its not as dodgy as it sounds haha.
Anyhow we found a good few ootheca albeit a lot of the Iris oratoria ooths had hatched we did find a lot of Hierodula Transcaucasica ooths. Also found a lovely adult female Iris oratoria, Adult female Ameles heldreichi (?) and a sub adult Rivetina balcanica (?) Please correct me if I am wrong on those though last 2.

29/09/2026

So the first couple of days in Crete have been damp to say the least. Yesterday we had a chill around the pool and was joined by a little friend which fell onto my back, Iris oratoria nymph.
Also a few pics of other bugs found so far

20/09/2026

Absolutely loving the colour variation in these Blepharopsis mendica aka Thistle mantis.
Also who knew they was so fuzzy haha.

01/08/2026

Had a nice hatch of 62 Hymenopus coronatus aka Orchid mantis yesterday.
Should be available and ready to go in a couple weeks.
Meanwhile we do have the following available:
Popa spurca aka African Twig Mantis,
Phyllocrania paradoxa aka Ghost Mantis,
Rhombodera sp Guangxi aka Giant Shield Mantis.

09/07/2026

Things have been quiet lately, just waiting on stuff to mature, breed or hatch but a few weeks ago we got a new additions that isn't something of a norm for us. We had a Brazilian white knee (A.geniculata) brought to us as a rescue after it had been left in an unoccupied house. We have had a few tarantulas in the past but this is the only one in our current collection and may remain the only one as a pet/display piece.

16/06/2026

The Fulciniola snelleni aka Moss Mantis had a little photoshoot at the weekend whilst ooth picking (and nymphs as one of the girls had hidden an ooth which hatched with the adults). Absolutely love these little guys/gals. Their colours vary from a light blondish colour to a vibrant green with yellow highlights.
Plenty of nymphs ready to accommodate new homes.

30/05/2026

Today is Mrs RAW's (Rebecca) birthday, so would like to wish her a happy birthday from myself and all the little ones. We are currently away in Scotland but the fun doesn't stop.
Last night we arrived and after a bit of food we got onto separating babies. Yep thats right we have brought the ootheca and nymphs that hatched yesterday morning on holiday with us. Potted up 76 Popa spurca and another 34 Fulciniola snelleni alongside 45 Otomantis scutigera.

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

So its been a while since we last posted, we apologise for that. Been a little busy with life and just forgot to post tbh.
So a little update on a few things:
Sinomantis denticulata aka Glass mantis, we have ooths incubating. Hopefully have hatches soon.
Metallyticus splendidus aka Metallic mantis, we was unfortunate to not have any males but a good friend who we originally purchased the nymphs off had an old male and we sent 3 of our girls on a long date with this male to do his thing. As it stands we have a couple of ooths from them so should be receiving them very soon and be excited for some hatches.
Fulciniola snelleni aka Moss Mantis are breeding and hatching very well. Will soon be offering these again.
Plenty of hatches of Acromantis japonica, Rhombodera guangxi, Phyllocrania paradoxa, Popa spurca, deroplatys desiccata and the most recent from yesterday was Otomantis scutigera.
Mrs RAW absolutely adores them. Her words was "they are the bloody cutest little things in the world" and yes they are tiny. She took these pics whilst potting them up last night, 45 in total which isnt a bad hatch.
Have added a video in the comments