Live praying mantises/mantids

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by ian_batten, Oct 30, 2006.

  1. #1
    Sooo, anyone keep live praying mantids? I know one other member that does, but would just bve interested to see others that do. I have somewhat of an obsession for them, and if you haven't kept them before, then PLEASE DO.

    They are the perfect alternative pet, especially if you have kids, they love em. Also, very tollerant to handling, and human attention.

    There are a few species native to the US, and southern Europe, and I would really be interested in purchasing these specimens if anyone stumbles across them. If you are interested in these guys, then you can have a look around my site for more info on them, and I can tell you, all pet lovers should give them a try :D www.insectstore.com

    If not mantids, any other wierd or wonderful pets kept?
     
    ian_batten, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  2. MrMOJO

    MrMOJO Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #2
    I gotta admit, I'm not into entimology on any level..but those praying mantis' are awesome little bugs :)

    We do however, have a fine collection of these nasty f***s wandering around here.. I absolutely ABHORE these potato bugs!
    images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=potato%20bugs&ei=UTF-8&fr=b1ie7&fr2=tab-web
     
    MrMOJO, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  3. ian_batten

    ian_batten Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Oh those potato bugs look awesome! Look like they would suit great feeder insects as well. ^_^
     
    ian_batten, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  4. MrMOJO

    MrMOJO Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #4
    feeder? man these things are HUGE! 3-4..sometimes 5 inches long! (thats 12-20 centimeters or so!). you can hear them walking from 40 feet away...no joke!

    trust me, if it came down to crossing paths with one in a dark alley, or being Mike Tysons cell mate for 10 years.. I'd have a hard time choosing :eek:

    seriously, scary nasty things.. all friggin over the place here! (here is SanPedro.com , the port of LA
     
    MrMOJO, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  5. ian_batten

    ian_batten Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Hehe, yea I know they are pretty sizable. I think adults would be a little on the large size, but the younger would perfect feeders. Hmm, I must PM you about these!
     
    ian_batten, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  6. MrMOJO

    MrMOJO Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #6
    god dangit..I got the jitters just thinking about these things and you asking me to go dig some up for you...ack!
     
    MrMOJO, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  7. matt-

    matt- Peon

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    #7
    I get them in the garden sometimes (I live in eastern spain), or one of my dogs brings me a dead one :s
     
    matt-, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  8. ian_batten

    ian_batten Well-Known Member

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    #8
    I am suprised your dog will touch them, they can be pretty ferocious when threatened! Espeicially with their sharp, raprotial forearms.
     
    ian_batten, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  9. matt-

    matt- Peon

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    #9
    Yeah one of them is an irish wolf hound / german shepherd cross, so her paws are pretty sizeable. She has a thing for flattening bugs then dragging her claws across :s

    They're pretty cool insects though, suprised they can eat cockroaches - thought the armour would be too strong.

    Do they jump?
     
    matt-, Oct 31, 2006 IP
  10. ian_batten

    ian_batten Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Well, they mainly scuttle in captivity, as large females are usually to heavy to jump. Young nymphs will often jump when they get startled however.

    They will eat pretty much anything that moves, if a gust of winds blows a chunk of mud past, they will happily strike, and try and eat it. After all, they do eat eachother :)
     
    ian_batten, Oct 31, 2006 IP