Do you get emotionally attached?

[GingerC]

Like the title says, I just want to know whether or not people get attached to their mantids. I know a lot of people just think of them as decorations, a way to spend their time, or even the way they would think of a really neat toy- all of which are perfectly understandable- but I've also heard of at least a few people whose mantids are beloved pets.

Do you love your mantids? When they die, naturally and inevitably, is it tragic, or is it more like when you break a dish or dent your car?

 

[Sticky]

Of course! Its sad whthey go, I feel terrible and very guilty if they die before old age takes them naturally.

 

[Tehshlendo]

I love my mantises and when one dies it definitely makes me upset.  That being said it's not to the same level as the grief I've felt when other pets like my dog or ferret had passed away.  I think part of that comes with them having a much shorter life span, I'm more emotionally prepared for it to happen.

 

[Serle]

Most people like animals to certain degrees , the more sensitive the person the more they may be effected .  I am a fairly thick resolved man and even I have feelings of loss when an animal passes. Especially if it is because of  my actions.... S

 

[GingerC]

I never thought I'd get attached to my own mantis, let alone my little brother's, but a recent disaster with his pet has me holding back tears whenever I think about it.

So I guess I'm pretty attached. :')

 

[Sticky]

I bury mine in my garden after they die. My mantids love having outside time im the garden when they are alive so it feels right.

 

[Teamonger]

So very attached. I have found I'm less attached right now because I have a box full of 100 of the tiny buggers. Once I'm done to the 6 I want to keep for myself it will be a totally different story.

I was devastated when my first mantis died due to me accidentally leaving his habitat door open . That said I'm with Tehshlendo, its not the same as a mammal/reptile pet dying because you are way more mentally prepared for it due to the short lifespan. 

 

[CosbyArt]

I always get attached, but how much depends on several factors; however, due to the short time span spent together (even when I hatch them) it isn't as profound as a attachment to other longer lived pets.

My wife on the other hand use to quickly pick a favorite and would get attached to them very fast. After a few like that, and the short life spans she tends to try to avoid paying them much attention.

 

[Jessie]

I knowi will each and everyone i get, a year or not i will enjoy every min of it. I suffer from anxiety  depression and while i have other animals i am ecstatic to have one of my very own to care for.

 

[proserpina]

Similar to Jessie, I have anxiety and use my mantises to help me cope. I know I'm going to be devastated when they die--so, to answer your question, yes.

 

[izbiggs]

I tend to get attached. I raise this little creature from a nymph, feed it by hand when it's sick, hold it, play with it, watch it molt and grow, and I'm always sad when my mantis dies. One of my mantids died today, actually. I'm quite sad.   RIP Buddy. 

 

[spotsy99]

I tend to get attached. I raise this little creature from a nymph, feed it by hand when it's sick, hold it, play with it, watch it molt and grow, and I'm always sad when my mantis dies. One of my mantids died today, actually. I'm quite sad.   RIP Buddy. 

So sorry to hear about Buddy. I get attached also. 

 

[Jessie]

@izbiggs

Hugs sorry for your loss.

 

[Digger]

Attached??  Hmmm; you might say so...

 

[Zeppy44]

I can understand how some feel so attached to their pets. I get sad, a bit.

Maybe at 71 I look at this from a different viewpoint. I can commit a year at a time for mantis care. Lizard (15-20 yrs) not sure I can handle that long or if I even want to. Turtle even longer. I have raised and breed fish that lived 5-6 months. The eggs took 9-12 months to hatch, LOL        Guess I am very used to some in my care having short life spans.

Must admit though it does hurt when you lose that Special One.

 

[Jessie]

Honestly I owe my animals my life, i deal with anxiety and depression. Have since 6th grade, I have 3 cats and a dog to. They saved me that and writing, Bugsey have become an important part of my life already. I would risk my life for any of my animals. Its hard for my to get along sometime with people, but i would protect my animals with my life.

 

[cwebster]

Am sorry for the losses of Buddy and Ponder. I have been extremely attached to our mantises. Ponder at 14 months must have been an awesome friend. At 65 i still feel the loss of each pet friend deeply having recently lost two mantises, a pacman, and a 19 year old pacific treefrog. 

 

[Jessie]

@cwebster sorry for your loss.