How to get mantis back in the terrarium?

[Bug]

I've been wanting to handle my mantis for a while but I'm afraid once I take her out I won't be able to get her back in. How can I ensure that I can easily get her back in if I need to?

 

[Rick]

Pick her up? If you don't want to do that you can prod her up onto your hand and then prod her back off after putting your hand near or in the enclosure.

 

[Toxic]

Or use a stick from her enclosure..

If you pick her up easiest way is to keep your hand flat and let her walk on... I wouldn't wiggle your fingers near her face as this will probably end up in her confusing your fingers for food.... It won't hurt too much though if she does just make you jump lol....

 

[soundspawn]

Smaller dowels (around 3/8", or approximately pencil sized) are great. I wouldn't use a pencil because of the slick topcoat they have, but hardware store dowels or even Popsicle sticks work well. They will climb right on them, and if you have trouble putting her back when you are done, just set the whole stick in the terrarium and retrieve it later when she's off

 

[Bug]

It ended up being a lot easier than I imagined. I just let her walk onto my hand and then when I put her back, I let her crawl onto a lid and then set the lid into the terrarium.