Some incredible things about mantids that I've witnessed with mine.
1. Mantids have likes and dislikes.
Majesty will fight me to go in her cage, or fight me when I take her off the window screen or take her off a branch from outside but will eagerly let me take her out of her container. This is probably because mantids have excellent eye sight (60').
2. Mantids recognize they're mantids.
Which is why when they see another mantid, they become defensive. Is this merely instinct or do they learn through reflections?
3. Mantids know their reflection isn't another mantid.
Majesty looks in the mirror at herself but doesn't become defensive, only looks. She then tries to climb up the mirror.
4. Mantids learn.
When I first got her, Majesty had a hard time eating from my hand but now she does it like a pro.
5. Mantids can tell the difference between their owners and others.
When I first got her, Majesty wouldn't go on anybody else's hand, even when we tried to make her. I believe this is because they have an incredible sense of smell. She has now gotten used to be held by others, though.
6. Mantids make eye contact.
I think most mantid owners are aware of this, though it may be difficult for some to realize what they're looking at. One way I tell is that when looking into the mantids eye, you will see one black dot at the top. When there are two black dots, or the dot is in the middle of the eye, she's making eye contact.
1. Mantids have likes and dislikes.
Majesty will fight me to go in her cage, or fight me when I take her off the window screen or take her off a branch from outside but will eagerly let me take her out of her container. This is probably because mantids have excellent eye sight (60').
2. Mantids recognize they're mantids.
Which is why when they see another mantid, they become defensive. Is this merely instinct or do they learn through reflections?
3. Mantids know their reflection isn't another mantid.
Majesty looks in the mirror at herself but doesn't become defensive, only looks. She then tries to climb up the mirror.
4. Mantids learn.
When I first got her, Majesty had a hard time eating from my hand but now she does it like a pro.
5. Mantids can tell the difference between their owners and others.
When I first got her, Majesty wouldn't go on anybody else's hand, even when we tried to make her. I believe this is because they have an incredible sense of smell. She has now gotten used to be held by others, though.
6. Mantids make eye contact.
I think most mantid owners are aware of this, though it may be difficult for some to realize what they're looking at. One way I tell is that when looking into the mantids eye, you will see one black dot at the top. When there are two black dots, or the dot is in the middle of the eye, she's making eye contact.