The deadliest feeder insect

[Jon114]

I used to raise and sell exotic mantid species.
That's how I raised the $$ for my chams

You would be surprised to know they actually make good starter pets
for kids.
Their behaviour is much more like an animal then an insect

They make amazing pets! They will actually look at you in the eye, and you don't get that from any other insect (atleast I don't know of any!).

Plenty of exotic mantids to choose from, too. Although I doubt any of the people here would use anything other than chinese/native mantids. The exotics can cost a pretty penny!

I don't have any problem with people using the common ones as feeders, although I would cringe at the idea of someone doing that here. Mantids are quite rare in my area! Plenty of anoles around here, and I've used countless as feeders. I'm sure some wouldn't agree with the idea, though.

And for the time I was breeding mantids, I actually made quite a bit of money.

 

[Sinfulintent]

I want one as a pet

I think some people do keep them as pets o.0

I personally like them, we get them in the summer here in Cali and I love catching them and feeding them the moths that are attracted to my porch light, fun watching them eat them. I'll feed them a few times, put them on a bush in my yard and let them be. Sometimes they stick around.. I had one hang out in my bush for about a week guess he knew I'd be outside to have a smoke and go feed him a moth

 

[little leaf]

hmmmm...after reading all this, I do not know if I should be scared to death- I have a screen cage in my BEDROOM that has about 40 3 week old mantis in it, and jars all over w/ more- and they get out all the time , or excited, becasue when all 47 ooth hatch - I will not have a bug in my yard Olive loves them, that is why I started to hatch them, but I feel kinda bad watching her eat them- they really are cool little guys to watch, and how they turn their heads is neat ( thats how they GET YA- ll )

 

[patrickfraser]

I don't think anyone said the species, but I believe it is an Iris oratoria. It is one of the many species I keep and breed.
I feed mantids to my chams with no problems. Just keep them "size appropriate".

 

[ChuWuti]

Wow, I am so surprised by the number of people who have been attacked by mantids! I haven't ever been attacked by any, and at least one species lives naturally in Oklahoma, where I am.

One year after I brought container plants inside after it got too hot, I had dozens of little mantids hatch out. They were everywhere! I had fun catching them and putting them outside.

I am very respectful of a fully grown adult, as they can pinch painfully, but when I have gently and slowly put my hand out, I've had even wild ones walk onto my hand, and I've never been bitten by any.

Of all the insects, this is my favorite, and I can't imagine feeding them to any of my insectivores.

I will happily feed cockroaches to them, though!

I guess each of us has some phobia or pet dislike; this thread certainly seems to support that!

Sandy

 

[djfishygillz]

I love praying mantid. I would always catch them on occasion each year and keep for a few weeks. All they wanted was a cricket or two to munch on!

 

[Jon114]

I still can't believe the OP. Mantids will put up an impressive show if you piss them off enough. Even then I've never seen one move more than a couple inches to strike/bite while being defensive. To be bitten, you literally have to offer them bare skin. If you have them flying towards you, it's possible they're simply veiwing you as a bush/tree and seeking cover, especially if they're in an open yard or empty driveway. They're certainly not insects to fear, and even more so not to hate. They're harmless and beneficial!

 

[squeekz1992]

People are confused, they're not praying, it's meditation before they attack!!!!

Haha this is true. Praying mantises are evil!!

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Haha this is true. Praying mantises are evil!!

What, me evil.