Praying Mantis

There are distinct advantages to having a pet that when you get tired of caring for it, you can step on it.

nope - sorry

I didn't realize that this group went to church. I will have to check out getting one. A little religion can't hurt.

These are not pets!

Indeed, LadyJesusFan777 -- I had my first pet mantis when I was only 4 yrs. old. She was a beautiful lime-green, winged creature, and nearly 9 inches long! I took her to school with me, where she became the hit of kindergarten class!  Our teacher made her a screened box, and we all participated in the care and feeding of the mantis. One student even brought in a small brown male mantis, too. A mating occurred, eggs were laid, and when the many tiny nymphs were ready....our class took a field day, and released them into the trees. So, for those naysayers who might conclude that we'd broken some sort of natural law, or somehow imposed upon the life of lesser creatures -- I'd have to argue the point. Both mantes were well-cared for, and protected from accident and predation. Both had fulfilled their lifes' purpose...actually, over and above that of their contemporaries.  For, these two mantes likely represented the very first opportunity for many of my classmates to appreciate nature, clo... Read more

I'm not into insects, anyway, so therefore I don't think they would make very good pets. But I can see where a kid might make one into a pet, especially when their parents won't let them have a dog or a cat, or some other kind of a domesticated animal.

UPDATE: How could I not like an insect that prays?? ORIGINAL MESSAGE: A fascinating insect. I hate to see them being captured and kept as a pet. They serve a great purpose in the insect world.

I think their neat, but I won't pick one up.

They attack cigaratte lighters and they will fight you and i've heard and seen they are strong and fisty!

I think they are AWESOME to look at and prob one of the  "top dogs" of the insect world.  I know no one that keeps it as a pet tho lol.

I think they would die to fast

whatever the hell that is.

these are so cool!

Seriously????

NO BUGS

ok since when are bugs considered pets????

Bugs freak me the hell out. (I'm such a girl :P)

People keep these as pets?

I had one that was a petite mantis, it was awesome and strangely interactive.

hehe. DUDEE they pray!!! i mean how cooler can it get??

TASTE GREAT COVERED IN CHOCOLATE............BUT WHAT DOESN'T??

because they aren't considered pests. they are only helpful to humans and crops. and they will pray for a good harvest as well.

um.... its a bug! NoT a pEt !

pf

They r illegal in the state of pennsylvania

I don't like these things

ewww!

i'd kill it in one minute

they are scary looking!!

umm, what?

Yea, their cool

had one on my driver's side window before yeah, i wouldn't get out of the car... I was there a long time so ummm no

u can have these as pets? LOL

but not for me

NOT MY IDEA OF FUN

they eat other bugs- don't do much else

Bug

Oh, these are a great pet..... Make sure that you get a breeding pair, however. You don't want to miss the mating ritual, or the culmination of their sex life. Of course, afterwards, you'll only have the female.

They're pretty unusual looking & they are helpful. They're cool to watch.

i didnt know these things were even pets

praying mantis are a really kewl bug