Mantis bites
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robo mantis
Well-known member
i've never been bitten. 8)
OGIGA
Dead Leaf Mantis
I had a mantis try to nibble on my while she was mating. She didn't get me though. However, when my very vicious female who keeps attacking me walks on me and tries to climb all over me, the claws kind of hurt. She's very strong and hard.
Well it seems when dealing with humans, mantids aren't all that defensive or aggressive so typically won't hurt you... but I got bitten because I pissed this mantis off. I picked it up from the back of its neck, and it managed to reach around and grab me with one of the raptorials (that was reasonably ouch too) and before I could let it go, it swiveled itself around and chomped into my finger big time!!
I think when they feel like it, they can easily cause you pain... be careful! Lol, would hate to have a 100mm+ female turn nasty while handling it!
I think when they feel like it, they can easily cause you pain... be careful! Lol, would hate to have a 100mm+ female turn nasty while handling it!
Horatio
Well-known member
Were there any other behaviours before the nips? Were they fed before hand? Did you have anything on your fingers? The reason I ask is because my younger child would like to bring our L5 when he molts to L6 in to class on her own. She likes to have him walk up her arm [i have been training her to do so and teaching her the rules (like don't have a loose sleeve open, keep him moving upward, don't wiggle your finger in front and let's make sure he's eaten). Maybe I should be outside the class for an emergency step in - like what happens if he bites and then nobody wants to pick him up and someone steps on him...Oh, the possibilities! She is very determined to do it herself.
OGIGA
Dead Leaf Mantis
You can control how hard your mantis bites? You must be amazing...
Butterfly
Well-known member
My European nibbled my finger once last year as I was giving her water. It didnt hurt at all, just felt a little pressure. That couldve been though because the bite was on scar tissue from the major surgery. Im lucky just to have kept those fingers I guess lol.
Well I noticed that my Miomantis Caffras nibble my fingers on occasion when they're wandering around on my hands... they never get agro and lash out at me... the only times I've been bitten have been when I have grabbed a mantis from behind its neck.
You can generally tell if a mantid is defensive or annoyed by their stance... and if it's a bigger mantis being grumpy, it's obviously going to be better if you pick it up with a stick or something first and then have it walk onto your hand from there once it's realised you aren't a threat.
You can generally tell if a mantid is defensive or annoyed by their stance... and if it's a bigger mantis being grumpy, it's obviously going to be better if you pick it up with a stick or something first and then have it walk onto your hand from there once it's realised you aren't a threat.
captainmerkin
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got bitten twice my my idolomantis which seems to have no fear and absolutely hate being handled.. hurt like heck
then again this same mantis ate a moth over 4 times its size so I should have guessed its a psycho
then again this same mantis ate a moth over 4 times its size so I should have guessed its a psycho
A little nibble is nothing compared to one actually chomping on the tip of your finger. Course I find this almost exclusively in the wild mantids that I catch. One you grab them they usually get you with their front legs which have sharp tips that pierce.
Horatio
Well-known member
Update... 
Well, Larry, our L6 was such a prudent boy! He went to school post molting and allowed my child to handle him no problem. She had really practised handling him and was very excited about the event. I am so proud - she did a complete Q and A session with her grade 1 class with Larry on her hand (and me at home). I think the key to Larry (Chinese) is that he likes to know where he is going and have those gentle hands that he is so familiar with.
Well, Larry, our L6 was such a prudent boy! He went to school post molting and allowed my child to handle him no problem. She had really practised handling him and was very excited about the event. I am so proud - she did a complete Q and A session with her grade 1 class with Larry on her hand (and me at home). I think the key to Larry (Chinese) is that he likes to know where he is going and have those gentle hands that he is so familiar with.Asa
Well-known member
Sometimes they really get you.
I admit that I'll sometimes slip on a thin pair of gloves (either gardening or cotton) when handling the larger aggressive/potentially aggressive ones. It's for two reasons:
1. They hold on better to the gloves than onto my skin, so the chances of them dropping to the floor/table or taking flight seems to be lessened.
2. I'm a complete BABY. I don't want to get bitten! LOL!
Cheers
Kristen
1. They hold on better to the gloves than onto my skin, so the chances of them dropping to the floor/table or taking flight seems to be lessened.
2. I'm a complete BABY. I don't want to get bitten! LOL!
Cheers
Kristen
