After a successful mate, the VR Mantis lays a fertilized egg. Incubation temperature must stay between 35°C and 38°C - use Air Conditioners, Standing Torches, or Dimetrodons to maintain the range. At the correct temperature, the egg hatches in approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes.

After hatching or birth, the baby VR Mantis matures requiring significant patience, reaching adulthood in about 2 days and 6 hours at 1x maturation. Hand-feeding is required until 10% maturation. After that, a Feeding Trough handles the rest.

Mutations can add +2 levels to any stat and change colors. Stacking mutations across generations is the key to min-maxed breeding lines. Use the breeding calculator to plan food requirements, incubation timers, and maturation phases.

Maturation has three phases: Baby (0–10%) lasts ~327 min and requires constant hand-feeding. Juvenile (10–50%) spans ~22h - it can eat from a Trough now. Adolescent (50–100%) takes ~27h - continues eating from troughs, nearly fully grown.

Don't skip imprinting - each successful imprint boosts the VR Mantis's stats, and hitting 100% grants a 30% combat bonus when the imprinter rides it. Keep various kibble types on hand, as imprint requests are randomized between cuddles, walks, and kibble feeding.

Planning a mass raise? The VR Mantis raising calculator breaks down food needs per phase so nothing goes to waste. The Baby phase (0–10%) takes ~327 minutes and is the most hands-on, requiring direct feeding or a Maewing.

Raising multiple VR Mantis simultaneously? Set the dino count and the calculator scales food requirements automatically. Match your food choice to your play schedule - longer spoil timers mean less babysitting.