I was slapped!!!

[Tiara]

Well to add to my problems, now my first mantis, magellan, an indo pacific mantis (I beleive that is Heirodulla Patellifera or something like that, neway its in my signature) HATES ME!!!! What the heck did I do wrong? He used to seem to want to come out and play (Rick before you say he is just a bug, I KNOW!! but he did act like he wanted to come out !!! I swear on it!!) Now he slapped me away and it really hurt, I have a little mark. I am more emotionally crushed than anything. I hope hes not sick too? Or he hasnt molted yet maybe he is cranky because of that? What could be his problem? He has never acted like this before!!! He is a very mellow guy!! :huh:

 

[bassist]

I don't even think mantids can perceive the idea of hate Lol.

Lucky you aren't bleeding Hierodula can do a snap that can break the skin.

 

[Tiara]

Trust me, or my finger on that matter, I KNOW!!! LOL I was waiting for blood!!! It hurt so bad I screamed like the sissy girl I am!!! LOL

 

[Andredesz]

Trust me, or my finger on that matter, I KNOW!!! LOL I was waiting for blood!!! It hurt so bad I screamed like the sissy girl I am!!! LOL

That's so cute Tiara. I know how you feel. My Chinese mantis used to behave in that way a day or two before a molt. Usually we were buddies, she would climb out to me and take food from my hand, but then sometimes she seemed to be pushing me away. At the time I thought she was just sick of me, but then a day later she would begin molting and I'd leave her be for a few days so she could dry. Then she'd be happy to chill with me again. Just like how they don't eat before a molt, and they swat food away, I think they also know they don't want to be handled. That's my 2 cents.

Don't worry, magellan still appreciates you.

 

[hibiscusmile]

yea, when I shed my skin I push my hubby away too!

 

[PhilinYuma]

Trust me, or my finger on that matter, I KNOW!!! LOL I was waiting for blood!!! It hurt so bad I screamed like the sissy girl I am!!! LOL

Never show him that you're afraid, Tiara, or he'll come at you. Have you trained him in any of the basic commands yet, like "stay", "sit" and "don't bite my finger"?

I don't know whether or not you have mantis obedience classes yet in Rhode Island, but they are very popular down here in SW AZ. They also have a very useful class for leash training scorpions. Come down here, get certified, and then start your own classes in RI!

 

[Rick]

Oh man...........must hold back.................steps out of thread slowly..........

 

[bassist]

Oh man...........must hold back.................steps out of thread slowly..........

rofl

 

[hibiscusmile]

U go Rick! :lol:

 

[Tiara]

LOL Thanks guys!!! Really appriciate the sarcasm!!!! LOL I hope he molts soon!!! He is such a crab!!! LOL Im glad Im not the only one that has a happy mantid that likes to hang out Andredesz, at least someone understands how I feel,(cough cough, SEE RICK, cough, cough, clears throat) LOl J/K!!! These guys are so much fun, I was just hurt when he acted like he hated me!!! Maybe its like a girl PMSing LOl just leave him a lone for a week, and he will be fine again. I wonder if he likes chocolate?! Maybe that will make him feel better?? LOL As far as training him, hmmmm he is quite stubborn, I tried the stay there and wave around like a leaf, he got that one!!! LOL And attack the fusca! He really enjoys that one. The

'dont bite me' is next, somehow I dont think he is getting it though!!! Seeing as I just got my 2 year old pug to listen to me, this is gonna take a while!! LOL (BTW Tiara was 2 on St. Patty's Day My big girl!!)

 

[revmdn]

Rick, that's too funny. You do have a sense of humor.

 

[Andredesz]

Never show him that you're afraid, Tiara, or he'll come at you. Have you trained him in any of the basic commands yet, like "stay", "sit" and "don't bite my finger"?I don't know whether or not you have mantis obedience classes yet in Rhode Island, but they are very popular down here in SW AZ. They also have a very useful class for leash training scorpions. Come down here, get certified, and then start your own classes in RI!

:lol: Yeah I'd say "don't bite my finger" is one of the core commands, one we should all work on in either a formal or informal learning environment. I am currently working on "please move your leg so I can close the container" and "please finish your fly so I don't have to watch its half eaten carcass perform a desperate pleading death dance". That one's going to be tough. Actually I think it's a result of over feeding.

Phil, I may open a storefront in Yuma, there I hope to find a market for my tiny scorpion leash business. After all those people laughed at me, vindication, at last!

But I say don't be ashamed of personifying your insect pets. Because we care for them, it is natural for us to imbue our insects with personality. This is the way humans relate to things with whom they cannot explicitly communicate. After all, our relationships are only as profound as we make them, and since we are sharing our precious living time together, we might as well make and recognize that time as meaningful.

For example, my daughter and I have a male Acromantis formosana that we have imposed a Pepe LePu character on, because of the way he looks in a seemingly adoring way at the females. We joke about him practicing romantic dialogue and posing in front of a mirror while adjusting his appearance, fastening a buttonier to his tiny tuxedo and slicking back his antennae. He has yet to coax a female into his container, but it's not due to lack of effort. Play like this engages my daughter allowing her to observe his actual behavioral displays. And long after Pepe is gone, I will remember those interactions with my daughter because they were distinctive and fun, and I will remember Pepe and his amorous ways.

-Carol

 

[Rick]

Rick, that's too funny. You do have a sense of humor.

Actually I do despite how I come across in text. I just laugh at these kinds of threads and shake my head. :lol: I just keep hoping I can come across some of these special mantids that everybody seems to have.

 

[The_Asa]

Actually I do despite how I come across in text. I just laugh at these kinds of threads and shake my head. :lol: I just keep hoping I can come across some of these special mantids that everybody seems to have.

You have to baby them Try tucking them in every night

 

[Katnapper]

:lol: Yeah I'd say "don't bite my finger" is one of the core commands, one we should all work on in either a formal or informal learning environment. I am currently working on "please move your leg so I can close the container" and "please finish your fly so I don't have to watch its half eaten carcass perform a desperate pleading death dance". That one's going to be tough. Actually I think it's a result of over feeding.

I love this... wish I could teach mine too, lol. :lol:

But I say don't be ashamed of personifying your insect pets. Because we care for them, it is natural for us to imbue our insects with personality. This is the way humans relate to things with whom they cannot explicitly communicate. After all, our relationships are only as profound as we make them, and since we are sharing our precious living time together, we might as well make and recognize that time as meaningful. For example, my daughter and I have a male Acromantis formosana that we have imposed a Pepe LePu character on, because of the way he looks in a seemingly adoring way at the females. We joke about him practicing romantic dialogue and posing in front of a mirror while adjusting his appearance, fastening a buttonier to his tiny tuxedo and slicking back his antennae. He has yet to coax a female into his container, but it's not due to lack of effort. Play like this engages my daughter allowing her to observe his actual behavioral displays. And long after Pepe is gone, I will remember those interactions with my daughter because they were distinctive and fun, and I will remember Pepe and his amorous ways.

-Carol

Extremely well said, Carol!!!!!!