sppc9876
Well-known member
Hey fellow mantis enthusiasts,
Glad to know that we enthusiasts have made use of the internet to connect and share our interest in mantises! Since I was a little kid living in California near horse property, I proactively searched my backyard and the fields beyond for praying mantises. We would always have eggcases laid on our fences and even under the overhang of the house and I would collect these and hatch them. Before my family moved, I came across Stagomantis Californica, Carolina Mantis, and the European Mantis in my backyard. I've also raised Chinese mantises since nurseries have the eggcases. One time I was successful in convincing my parents to get the Indian Flower Mantis! I remember the fun days of catching flying insects to feed the mantises. In fact, pet shops even sold fruitflies and pin-head crickets perfect for nymphs too!
After going to college, the hobby had to be set aside for other interests
, but after watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QygakwaSZM recently and looking at all the wonderful terrariums and setups posted by members on the forum, I decided to kick start the hobby again. Back then, I either had to go to exotic pet shops to buy mantises (back when Petco used to sell them haha!) or be lucky enough to find one outside. Now with breeders, I'm looking to get a species I've never kept before. I'm shooting for the orchid mantis, but was thinking about warming up with something green like Sphodromantis sp. or Hierodula.
To the people I've pmed about orchid mantises, I apologize for the abruptness. You guys are so lucky to have them.
And finally! Some pictures from my childhood experiences. Cameras sucked back them, but I figured I would share.
Chinese Mantises
Indian Flower Mantis
Once again, glad to meet everyone!
Glad to know that we enthusiasts have made use of the internet to connect and share our interest in mantises! Since I was a little kid living in California near horse property, I proactively searched my backyard and the fields beyond for praying mantises. We would always have eggcases laid on our fences and even under the overhang of the house and I would collect these and hatch them. Before my family moved, I came across Stagomantis Californica, Carolina Mantis, and the European Mantis in my backyard. I've also raised Chinese mantises since nurseries have the eggcases. One time I was successful in convincing my parents to get the Indian Flower Mantis! I remember the fun days of catching flying insects to feed the mantises. In fact, pet shops even sold fruitflies and pin-head crickets perfect for nymphs too!
After going to college, the hobby had to be set aside for other interests
, but after watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QygakwaSZM recently and looking at all the wonderful terrariums and setups posted by members on the forum, I decided to kick start the hobby again. Back then, I either had to go to exotic pet shops to buy mantises (back when Petco used to sell them haha!) or be lucky enough to find one outside. Now with breeders, I'm looking to get a species I've never kept before. I'm shooting for the orchid mantis, but was thinking about warming up with something green like Sphodromantis sp. or Hierodula.To the people I've pmed about orchid mantises, I apologize for the abruptness. You guys are so lucky to have them.
And finally! Some pictures from my childhood experiences. Cameras sucked back them, but I figured I would share.
Chinese Mantises
Indian Flower Mantis
Once again, glad to meet everyone!
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