Best way to induce threat pose?

LLCoolJew · Dec 18, 2011

I love it when my Idolo or Budwing throw down a threat pose, but its always quite random, and I seldom get a chance to photograph them. My Budwing threat poses most when watching TV, and sees something that startles her (Kim Kardashian has been a consistant trigger).

Anyway, does anyone have some tried, true, and humane methods to share? I'd love to know them

LL

gripen · Dec 18, 2011

i have had them for 8 years and they hardly ever pose for me. nothing you can do will make them do it ever time. you just have to be patient.

Termite48 · Dec 18, 2011

You might try with them what ha worked for me with Creos and some other larger breeds: Take a feather or other harmless implement, and wave it close to the face to act as a threat without the possibility of bringing harm to the mantid. This will often induce the threat pose. Perhaps Budwings are slow to anger. Not so with some species.

twolfe · Dec 18, 2011

LLCoolJew said:
I love it when my Idolo or Budwing throw down a threat pose, but its always quite random, and I seldom get a chance to photograph them. My Budwing threat poses most when watching TV, and sees something that startles her (Kim Kardashian has been a consistant trigger).

Ha! Ha!

LL, I've gotten the threat pose when I wasn't trying to get it. It's similar to what Rich suggested. I was trying to photograph them holding onto a fly. I waved the fly in front of them and tried to get them to grab it, and they gave me the threat pose. Budwings were pretty consistent. I didn't handle them much, and that sometimes makes a difference.

Good luck!

agent A · Dec 18, 2011

I usually poke it on the same side in between the mid and hind legs and after a few times I will get a sassy mantis

And by poke I mean gently nudge

Ruaumoko · Dec 18, 2011

Try blowing on them from the front, worked for my Theophilia

patrickfraser · Dec 18, 2011

LLCoolJew said:
My Budwing threat poses most when watching TV, and sees something that startles her (Kim Kardashian has been a consistant trigger).

I have the same reaction with the Kar"TRASH"ians. I'm glad I don't have cable, it's bad enough the "KKK" is all over regular TV and grocery store checkout aisles. Hey! you can even buy their "High Class Fashions for the Homeless" at Sears.

LLCoolJew · Dec 18, 2011

LOL. Thanks, all. Good suggestions... keep 'em coming!!

angelofdeathzz · Dec 18, 2011

I just get one of my kids toy guns and say "stick'em up, this is a hold up, give me all your money" and boom there little arms go up, they don't want any trouble, and it looks just like a threat pose!

guapoalto049 · Dec 18, 2011

Get another mantid, preferably a bigger one. I always got my budwings, Euros (which make noise), and Chinese to flare up when a female desiccata is around. I have to be careful, of course, because desiccata have a bad reputation of stalking their cousins!

I've also found that when you start out far away then rush up to a mantid, its more likely to get mad than when you are constantly near it/holding it. Put it out somewhere, leave the room for a little, then rush up to it.

P.S. I feel Blepharopsis mendica has the baddest attitude of any mantid species!

CoolMantid · Dec 18, 2011

Ive tried a lot of methods, its very hard.

meaganelise9 · Dec 19, 2011

enter the room quickly.. accidentally splash her with a water droplet.

Psychobunny · Dec 19, 2011

LOL! when I WANT them to do it (for a photo), they just sit there, but other times I have only

to walk near them and they will threat me!!

meaganelise9 · Dec 19, 2011

Europeans make noise??

gripen · Dec 19, 2011

meaganelise9 said:
Europeans make noise??

yes and so do adult idolos :tt2:

CoolMantid · Dec 20, 2011

I heard they hiss. I would flip out and think thre was a snake in my room!

Domanating · Dec 20, 2011

I get threat poses from my Europeans when they have a comfortably hot temperature or more. Anything i do close to them at those temps they usually threaten me. When it's cold they prefer to run away. I always thought it should be the opposite though

mykey14 · Dec 31, 2011

gripen said:
yes and so do adult idolos :tt2:

Now I want a European mantis!

bobericc · Dec 31, 2011

guapoalto049 said:
Get another mantid, preferably a bigger one. I always got my budwings, Euros (which make noise), and Chinese to flare up when a female desiccata is around. I have to be careful, of course, because desiccata have a bad reputation of stalking their cousins!

I've also found that when you start out far away then rush up to a mantid, its more likely to get mad than when you are constantly near it/holding it. Put it out somewhere, leave the room for a little, then rush up to it.

P.S. I feel Blepharopsis mendica has the baddest attitude of any mantid species!

Lol @ running into a room at your bud wing..

that and not holding your mantis I think are the best idea, the feather was ok too but,i can just imagine the mantis attacking without much defense, I had a male who put his defense up one time when my brother put his finger up to it and I think it wasnt expected.. So ultimately you need to be spontaneous and surprise him/her

Buy a kim kardashian poster and run in the room at her with it

Best way to induce threat pose?

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