With proper care, high-quality and properly mounted insect specimens can last for decades. 1) Keep specimens in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment. Do not display outdoors or where normal house-hold temperature and humidity conditions persist. This could affect the preservation over time. 2) Display them out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause the colors of the specimens to fade over time. This is especially important for specimens with bright or iridescent colors. 3) Locate them out of the reach of children or pets. Almost every time a customer contacts me for a repair, a cat is involved. Real insect specimens are not suitable for children, as they are very fragile.

Are insect specimens “ethically sourced?”

When shopping for insect specimens, you may come across the term "ethically sourced.” However, it's important to note that this terminology isn’t an objective description of where these insects *actually* come from. I take sourcing and sustainability seriously. I verify the source of all species I work with, and relay that information to the customer so that they can make their own independent assessment of what is and isn’t “ethically sourced.” All of my imported specimens (domestically raised and wild collected) are properly documented and legally imported into the United States in compliance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife requirements. Therefore, they are all legal to possess and own in the United States.

Domestically Raised Insects

Many insect species are farmed, just like other types of livestock, as part of conservation projects or specifically for sale as specimens. They are bred and raised in controlled environments to allow for genetic selection and uniform traits/quality. They are bred and released for repopulation programs, or harvested to provide financial support for local economies and conservation programs. Others are raised by devoted hobbyists who enjoy partaking in their unique life cycles and making supplemental income in the process.

Wild Collected Insects

Some of these insect species are wild-collected. While local people do rely on the collection of these natural resources for income, as a consumer, I am also conscious of the demand I create. For some species, wild-collecting is not done in a sustainable manner for the long-term health of wild populations (e.g. Asian bat specimens). Therefore I do not use them or offer them for sale. I only source specimens with stable populations. I also independently verify that none of my specimens are threatened or endangered species, species protected by international treaty, or CITES listed populations. I also use “found dead” specimens when they are in usable condition.

Safe and Sustainable Shipping Practices

I use paper-based shipping materials to reduce non-degradable plastics in circulation. Unlike cheaper plastic-based materials, paper-based shipping materials are degradable or can be easily recycled. I use a range of paper-based cushioning materials, boxes, and paper tape, that provide superior protection during shipping, ensuring that orders arrive safely and intact. It’s more expensive, but do we really want to keep putting more plastics out there? On occasion I include “second-use” bubble wraps and air pillows from my incoming supply orders to protect your shipment. But they are “second-use” materials that are already in circulation, just having another “go around.”

Do You Ship Internationally?

Short answer: No. Long answer: I do not ship specimens outside of the physical United States. Shipping real specimens across any international boundary requires an export permit, documentation and fees to ensure that they are shipped legally. Shipping real insects internationally without these, is both risky and illegal (shipments are often seized by customs), and it undermines the intent of laws intended to protect wildlife from illegal trafficking. The cost for me to perform this process on an individual basis would be prohibitively expensive for the customer. It is better to purchase from within your home country, from trustworthy sources that have already imported the specimens.

Do You Accept Returns and Cancellations?

Your satisfaction is my priority and I want you to shop with confidence. I accept cancellations before your order ships — just send me a message and you'll receive a 100% refund, no questions asked. I also accept returns within 7 days of delivery. Every order ships with insurance, and Etsy's Purchase Protection has you covered too, so if anything goes wrong in transit, you're fully protected. A quick note on timing: I list items in ready-to-ship status and pack orders fast, so if you need to cancel, please reach out as soon as possible — ideally within a day of ordering. Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery; refunds are issued less original shipping charges, unless the issue was caused by shipping damage, in which case ever

I grew up running feral through the forests of New England, fascinated by every living thing I came across. That curiosity led me to a degree in zoology and wildlife ecology, work in a university entomology lab, and then decades of fieldwork that took me from the high-arctic to the last Alaskan island before Russia, from the tropics of Southern Thailand to the Chesapeake Bay. I've since settled in a sleepy coastal town in Florida, where I've built a small studio and turned a lifetime of scientific training and genuine wonder for the natural world into the shop you're visiting today. Every specimen I prepare is handled with the same care and respect for life that has guided everything I've done — and I hope it brings you years of joy.

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Praying Mantis in Glass Dome Display | Real Insect Taxidermy Specimen for Oddities and Curiosities Collection | Entomology Nature Decor

Name: Praying Mantis in Glass Dome Display | Real Insect Taxidermy Specimen for Oddities and Curiosities Collection | Entomology Nature Decor
Brand: ZoologicaShop
SKU: 1252389923
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (3174 reviews)

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Arrives soon! Get it by Jun 16-20 if you order today

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Highlights

Made by ZoologicaShop
Materials: Real Insect Taxidermy Specimen, Real Praying Mantis Mounted in Dome, Glass Display Dome with Cork Base
Width: 5 inches

Height: 5 inches

Depth: 5 inches

Real praying mantis taxidermy in a 5" glass dome display — a stunning entomology specimen and a unique gift for the bug collector, biologist, science teacher, or nature lover in your life. Perfect for goblincore, dark academia, or nature-themed home decor.

This magnificent praying mantis is realistically posed in a dramatic hunting stance, long arms raised and body poised — a breathtaking display of one of nature's most extraordinary predators. Specimens may be male or female; each is individually selected and expertly posed to show off its unique characteristics and natural beauty.

Preserved using my proprietary stabilization process, this specimen will maintain its stunning appearance for decades. Displayed under a protective 5" glass dome with a cork base — substantial enough to anchor a curiosity cabinet or bookshelf, refined enough for a desk. A handwritten entomology data collection tag is included, giving this piece the feel of an authentic museum specimen.

Gift wrapping available at checkout — I'll handwrite your personal message on a gift card, wrapped beautifully and ready to give.

Quality: I believe it's worth the time and effort to meticulously process and mount each specimen in a lifelike position that displays its unique qualities and details. I stabilize my specimens with a proprietary process that withstands decades of display and the rigors of shipping too. Using these specimens in my insect art demands respect for their lives and a duty to source them in a sustainable manner.

Order today to get by Jun 16-20
Returns accepted within 7 days
Free shipping
Ships from: Safety Harbor, FL

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