Handling Nymphs?

[BugLover]

i was wondering...

how often should you handle nymphs (if at all)?

i have two Chinese Mantis nymphs under one inch should i start handling them to get them hand-tame ore should i wait until they are bigger to avoid injuring them?

 

[hierodula]

youll be fine handling them. Just move slow and handle several times a week, and they will calm down and be used to it.

 

[BugLover]

ok! thanks!

 

[hibiscusmile]

I do it all the time.

 

[happy1892]

Just do not handle them when they recently molted. If you want to be safe handle them 24 hours after they molted, that will let them get hard.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Mantises are very easy to handle and I've had just as much ease handling wild adults as nymphs so it is really about if you want to spend some time with them. As long as you don't mess with them directly after a molt, and are gentle, they should be fine. Chinese nymphs love racing and hopping around so make sure you keep a close eye on them when they are out.

 

[lancaster1313]

I let the mantis handle me in most situations.

I just let them walk on me or make like an escalator with my hands if they are active. Usually, I just put one in a houseplant or the window.

I wouldn't suggest any grasping and pulling them off anything. I could imagine that it would harm thier little tarsal claws.