Well, my adventures in getting my first ever mantis have ground to a halt. I have the terrarium and everything to put in it...everything save the mantis!
Since I'm a complete beginner I decided to get an African mantis, since they're hardy and apparently good for the novice. The problem is though that I can't find any of the buggers! I've contacted every pet shop in a wide area around me, with no success. They've taken my number and phoned their stockists, but again no luck. For saying Africans are supposed to be a common pet variety, I'm having a hard time finding one. Maybe it's because mantids aren't a common pet in the UK, I don't know...
I wanted to get one through a pet shop so I could see it beforehand. Although I'm a novice, I'd still be able to see if it was healthy at least. Now though it looks like I may have to use mail order. I'm a bit wary over this; firstly because I won't know the condition of the individual, and secondly I don't trust the post office. If I'm not in when the post arrives they take parcels back to the depot and generally make you wait 24 hours before you can claim. Which will probably have me opening a box containing a dead mantid...
Do you think I'm overreacting about this? Reading through the forum lots of you post off your mantids. Should I bite the bullet and order one online, or keep holding out for a pet shop to get one for me? Have you had any good or bad experiences with either?
Since I'm a complete beginner I decided to get an African mantis, since they're hardy and apparently good for the novice. The problem is though that I can't find any of the buggers! I've contacted every pet shop in a wide area around me, with no success. They've taken my number and phoned their stockists, but again no luck. For saying Africans are supposed to be a common pet variety, I'm having a hard time finding one. Maybe it's because mantids aren't a common pet in the UK, I don't know...
I wanted to get one through a pet shop so I could see it beforehand. Although I'm a novice, I'd still be able to see if it was healthy at least. Now though it looks like I may have to use mail order. I'm a bit wary over this; firstly because I won't know the condition of the individual, and secondly I don't trust the post office. If I'm not in when the post arrives they take parcels back to the depot and generally make you wait 24 hours before you can claim. Which will probably have me opening a box containing a dead mantid...
Do you think I'm overreacting about this? Reading through the forum lots of you post off your mantids. Should I bite the bullet and order one online, or keep holding out for a pet shop to get one for me? Have you had any good or bad experiences with either?