i think i will give him till tomorrow if not i dont see a reason to continue his suffering. (i think i will use katnapper method of recycling)
FREEZE IT, FREEZE IT! Kill it in the cold, or at least anaesthetise the poor bugger before you feed it to anything. Mantids actually enjoy insect popcicles.I tried to get him to eat honey but he refused so it is not looking good
OK, James.... :huh: what happened to this viewpoint?
Why the disparity?
It does seem like I'm back-flipping at every turn doesn't it. OK, they may not be able to feel pain but I imagine it must not be very pleasant to be feasted on alive. However, my previous comment would also suggest that, since they cannot feel any emotions, getting eaten is not as big of a deal for them as it is to vertebrates. :huh: This is all very confusing.
For these reasons, mantids seem to have a higher awareness about them that surpass that of most other insects. I'll even go as far as saying they have a little personality. This appeals to me, as I am sure it appeals to you. Using a mantid as a feeder insect doesn't sit right with me because they are pets to me. I believe it's a lot simpler than feeding Fluffy to Fido but there's still some sort of attachment for the mantid being fed. I stated that mantids were robots, yet did not you come to empathise with Wall-E. Wussy example, I know. ) & it will provide sufficient nutrients to a hungry mantid, but I'd rather see it serving its "obligation" dead than alive & writhing.
I do understand, James.It does seem like I'm back-flipping at every turn doesn't it. OK, they may not be able to feel pain but I imagine it must not be very pleasant to be feasted on alive. However, my previous comment would also suggest that, since they cannot feel any emotions, getting eaten is not as big of a deal for them as it is to vertebrates. :huh: This is all very confusing.I guess for all of the physiochemistry of a mantid, or lack of it in this case, I don't like feeding live mantids to other mantids. Mantids are probably the smartest bug in the Insecta class. Since they are predators, they have to have a strategy to catch their prey. This arose from the higher protein diet than their herbivorous cousins, which we know helps increase brain chemistry. Just ask Sam Neill
It may be for the greater good in that you're putting it out of its misery (I mean, uh... it's going to die anyway
That's probably all there is to it. I hope what I said made sense.
James.
I think of them as pets and do form attachments to them also. And it does bother me a little bit to watch one of them eat another... and know that I was the "meal planner," sacrificer, and essentially executioner of a doomed mantis. But I do also view it as completely natural in practice... it does routinely happen in nature, and not as a result of any decisions I make. Thus, I'm able to reconcile the deed in my mind as providing food for one animal with another. If it bothers me very much, I stop watching (or taking pics) and go about other business until the meal is done.
You're right Katnapper. We are 'mantid executioners' but we're the type who refrain from wearing the balaclavas & carry halberds, & jeer at the poor thing. We do it for the greater good. I'm glad we now see on level terms. This discussion has carried over from a couple of topicsI do understand, James.
I know I sound heartless and callous, maybe morbid and cruel. But as much as I care about and love keeping mantids in general, I do not differentiate between, or give preferential treatment to, appropriate live mantis food, once the mantis in question is doomed anyways. I am fascinated by, and interested in studying all aspects of their habits, whether objectionable by human standards and sympathies or not. And a mantis, as food, would seem to have superior beneficial nutrients available to give and sustain another one of my pets. "For the greater good" says it all.
And don't start labelling yourself as cruel & morbid cos everyone on this forum has either done it or will do the same thing. We're mantis folk My suggestion... Chase, after serving an obvious "goner" for dinner... if it bothers you, don't watch. And don't tell James, whether you did or didn't... and/or watched or not!
:lol:
Emile is right. They may have been overwhelmed because of the angle that you introduced the dead to the nymph. Did you feed your nymph from below or above? Overhead would be a bit scary. I could imagine a pie being forced into my head from the sky
Else your Chinese are unnaturally wussy!Haha.. considering I was trying to give them a completely deformed mismolt that was still moving AND dangling it from above, I agree that it could be scary. It would be much bigger than just having a pie shoved in your face.. more like a 50 pound cheeseburgerEmile is right. They may have been overwhelmed because of the angle that you introduced the dead to the nymph. Did you feed your nymph from below or above? Overhead would be a bit scary. I could imagine a pie being forced into my head from the sky
Shape shouldn't be a problem. You'll notice the mantid 'smell' the prey first & if its edible, it'll strike.Haha.. considering I was trying to give them a completely deformed mismolt that was still moving AND dangling it from above, I agree that it could be scary. It would be much bigger than just having a pie shoved in your face.. more like a 50 pound cheeseburger
