Ethical treatment of wild mantids

[cwebster]

Saw one of only two adult Chinese mantises I have seen outside despite letting tons of nymphs go. Weather is cooling. I mist every day. Am wondering about the ethics of leaving the mantis outside vs bringing him inside as it gets too cold outside. I feel torn. I feel like he deserves to be free but dont want him to die from the cold. Anyone else struggle with this or is it just me? Have five captive house raised mantises. 

 

[hibiscusmile]

I bring them in, they live till jan or later when I do that.

 

[Ocelotbren]

If you want to bring them in and care for them, it's certainly an option, but in terms of ethics, I don't see any reason that leaving them outside would be unethical.  That is what they do in the wild and always have.  I'm sure they've lived a good life outside all summer and it would be perfectly normal for the next step of their life cycle to take place naturally in the fall when it cools down.  In the end it's up to you!

 

[River Dane]

Humans, dogs, cats, and mantids are all animals. Humans and cats domesticated themselves, and they, along with dogs, seem quite content. Living wild isn't really "freedom." It's stressful and difficult. Prey can be hard to come by, and it might be dangerous. Not to mention predators, and, as you've considered, natural disasters and dangerous weather. Most animals, I believe, would rather be captive. But I don't speak for everyone. You can bring them in as long as you know how to care for them. Some mantids might not even know the difference.

 

[Logan_123]

One thing I will do is if I do find a wild mantis and bring it in, I put it in a very large enclosure so it can roam and find food like outside. Because if they are healthy and adults when you find them they are obviously a very strong and smart mantis so if you put it in a large enclosure they will do fine. Just make sure there is food in it.

 

[cwebster]

Sadly I havent seen the two wild mantises again. Hope they are doing well. I mist the yard every day to try to help them.

 

[cwebster]

While i was watering today, found a large wild mantis. Am still torn but put her in a large mesh enclosure with branches from the plant i found her in and put several crickets. She seemed upset at first but after exploring her container and seeing nearby mantises (I still have four) she started calming. She was too scared to accept honey. Hope I am lengthening and not shortening her lifespan or her quality of life. It is starting to get pretty cold outside though. 

 

[Connor]

We had snow yesterday ! I would for sure bring her in. Her lifespan will definitely be lengthened. She may even gift you with a fertile ooth. 

 

[Rick]

Not really sure what you mean. The life cycle of these temperate species is completed at the onset of freezing temperatures. 

As far as releasing "tons" of nymphs, the mortality is very very high for them which is why each ootheca contains so many eggs. 

One could also argue that the Chinese mantis is a non-native species and you shouldn't release them at all. I was under the impression this species was not widespread in CA so I think you shouldn't be releasing them in the first place. I sometimes wonder if I should kill every single one I find outside. 

 

[OmniXVII]

Most mantids die after birth. It's just how their life cycle works. Hundreds of nymphs hatch so that a few of them may grow up as adults to reproduce.

Even though we love mantids here, just remind yourself that they are simple insects. Don't feel too bad for them. 

 

[GingerC]

The concept of "freedom" is constructed by humans; I doubt most animals care whether they're in the wild or not. You can provide a safe, stimulating environment where she can live far longer than she would normally, so why not?

 

[Serle]

Most mantids die after birth. It's just how their life cycle works. Hundreds of nymphs hatch so that a few of them may grow up as adults to reproduce.

Even though we love mantids here, just remind yourself that they are simple insects. Don't feel too bad for them. 

  'Ditto'    'I like my mantids as well and do feel bad when I lose one , that said we have been watching lots of Disney and have attached human personalities to animals . Live , Love & Let Go ........... S

 

[Connor]

@GingerC and @Serle I completely agree. We have to remember they are still animals and don't have the same concepts as humans.

 

[Rick]

@GingerC and @Serle I completely agree. We have to remember they are still animals and don't have the same concepts as humans.

What exactly do you mean? We humans are animals too. 

Honestly, most of the comments in this thread are rather disturbing. I do find the comments interesting and feel they are probably in line with the general public (of which this forum is a small slice of). 

 

[Connor]

@Rick Sorry that was terrible wording on my part. 

Maybe a better word is insects. I love my mantis and it shows; I spend time out of my day to take care of them every single day, I spend every lick of earnings I have on them. I love the way the look around with this intelligence that I've never seen in an insect. I'm not at all agreeing with general opinion of "let's kill all bugs!". Kind of upsets me that you would take it that way. 

My main point is that the are simply insects. They don't have the same comprehensive abilities as us. You really think they know what freedom is? The only reason mantis try to get out of the container is to find food and mates(imo!) not because they seek freedom. This is why, personally, would never raise a mantis without breeding it. Either I would give it to someone who can or find a mate myself. Mating is the whole purpose of their life! They deserve to at least try and crave to do it their whole lives. Mantis do seem to have their own personality which is another reason I love them. But they do not possess the same personalities and knowledge as us(imo!).

That is my stance on this matter but I am certainly not opposed to anyone else's opinion.

 

[cwebster]

So far the formerly wild and now captive mantis has adapted well. I found him/her just in time as it is in the low 40s outside now. I have five mantises but have not mated them because i cant stand tge idea of finding a headless one. 

 

[Jessie]

I know this is an old post but i will say this. Humans are terrible with emotions you see how we treat other humans and animals. I dont believe for a sec that mantis dont have emotions. Ive SEEN it in mine. They have alot more emotions and feels then i have seen in most humans. If we look at ourselfs and how we treat others and each other. I dont think we have a right to dictate what has *emotions* or not.

 

[Mantis Lady]

I haven't seen this topic earlier.  It was interesting to read. If I would see a wild mantis sitting in the cold, I would take her/him in. (will never happen, my country don't have wild mantids and it is too cold for them) I think she/he will like the warmth more than freezing/starving to dead outside. I don't know if they have real emotions like we do, of I project mine on them, they show fear/anger and stuff, that are emotions I think. They live on a other lvl than we do.

 

[hysteresis]

I can't stop thinking about the wild mantids going to sleep in this cold weather. I would have LOVED to bring in a Chinese female. ?