Our Home’s Newest Life Form

Friday, July 27th, 2007 at 9:16 pm

Brownie Mantis. I believe he is a California Praying Mantis but I am not 100% sure on that yet. This little guy lives in a large aquarium in Joe’s room. I have to say that although I am not a fan of having pet bugs in my house this little guy (or gal???) is SO COOL! Watching this little carnivore eat his little bug prey is unusually interesting. He is a keen hunter, a lion among insects. I was sure when he cocked his head and curiously stared at me that he was sizing me up and wondering how I might taste.

Seriously, he does appear to be a curious little bug. Joe set him out in the grass for these pictures and the thing just looked and looked but never tried to escape. I think he is content being fed – not having to hunt down his food as he would have out in the wild of our garden.

Joe has two more Mantis’. We have heard that they will happily munch on other mantis’ but from what I have read if you keep them well fed they won’t try to feed on each other. We will add one and see how it goes.

Any Mantis experts have any info for us? Joe would greatly appreciate little tidbits on this subject.