Curiosity sesh

[Keir64]

Just wondering
Why do people keep praying mantis' and the like as pets (i.e not as food for other pets lol)
Just curious as to what is the attraction? =)

[Keir64]

Does..anyone keep these? XD Or am I horrrrribly mistaken

[iiisecondcreep]

T's, easy:
Because they're COOL.

Because they are amazing, everything they do fascinates me. After 13years I still get a kick out of watching them catch their prey, how fast they can be, how little slings can overpower relatively huge prey. Etc etc etc

Stickies:
They're cute and fun

Mantids:
I had never kept a mantid before, but my OH decided to get himself some at the BTS back in May. We only have one left (although she is mated and ahs laid 2 ooths so fingers crossed for babies!) and I love her!
I love handling her and she is *very* photogenic. And they are brilliant to observe, very active and "aware" of their surroundings.
Also when you're handling her, if you put a hand in front of her slightly out of reach she does this frantic waving thing to reach it, its soooo cute
They are really interesting to watch hunt, seeing them notice the prey and then stalk it... or in some cases chase after it full pelt! Unfortunately her actual eating habits turn my stomach
But other than the eating thing, she's fab

This is she

[Keir64]

Ahh well =) Thanks for that! Didnt realise they could be so interesting! =D
I like this idea of how they are so 'aware' of their surroundings =)
So basically they have..personality? Perhaps to the slightest degree?
I suppose i can understand T's..theyre tanking XD

I dont think Id be up for keeping bugs etc as I love reps too much..watching them hunt and climb and stalk and doing all the wee crazy/random/cute things they do xD but i suppose if its the same for bugs i can totally understand why!

[mbj20]

iv got mantis's T's are cool jus scare the crap out of me but yh mantids do have a personality they are funny as hell at times and are defo always up 4 a quick photo op they are probably the best pet iv ever kept n believe me iv had alot lol

[Higgt4]

Originally Posted by Keir64

I like this idea of how they are so 'aware' of their surroundings =)

I moved my female Orchid's enclosure into the living room from another room yesterday, after a short time she became very restless, so I opened the front of the enclosure.
She climbed out onto the top and proceeded to sit and scan the whole room for a while then sat and watched the TV for a bit (I've seen others do this too).
Just one instance of a mantis 'doing its thing'.
They make excellent pets, I recently gave an African mantis nymph and caresheet to the little boy who stays next door.

edit - meant to say, my male cham - Spiderpig - loves them too, but not in quite the same way

[atum]

I just got 3 mantis nymphs at the start of the week and they're so cool. They are very aware of everything around them and watching catch their prey is amazing. Although I can't wait for mine to et bigger. I hate fruit flies.

[MissyBats]

I want to get one for my son, they are so cute!
love all teh pics on here I´ve seen of them
I have T´s and snakes, and want a mantis now
x

[squaccy]

I'M GETTING MANTIDS SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had a chinese mantis who'd sit on my hand for hours cleaning herself or just chilling so they are amazing The T's I have are pretty amazing too not that I see much of them but they are pretty cool

And my corn snake is like my child, he's my baby