Mexico, Gautamala, Belize.

[Emile.Wilson]

I am with Rick, i would not try to bring them back. If you got caught you would be in deep mantis doo doo XD

 

[lectricblueyes]

How do you think many of us Mantis lovers have come to have such a variety of species from so many places in the world? Magic? But, thanks for the warning! I'm getting so much pressure from so many people around me about the dangers of Mexico right now. When you actually speak with people actually LIVE in MEXICO it's pretty much isolated to one area. You know, if you lived in another country and all you saw was news about the USA, you'd think the USA was a gun-maniac heck hole. Living in Chicago, you just know where you don't belong and where you do belong. Having someone who is completely familiar with the area sure is a big help. I won't be anywhere near the border where you hear all the news stories.

As far as me taking an Ootheca and smuggling it into this country...

Again, I HIGHLY doubt I'll find an Ootheca. IF I do, the only way in heck I would bring it back is if I took photos, uploaded them here, and if it's ID'd as already captive.. it's going back into the rainforest.

1. Finding time for Ootheca hunting is extremely limited.

2. Finding an Ootheca at all is nearly impossible, especially for a noob like me.

3. Finding an Ootheca for a species that's not already captive is rare, at best.

4. Me bringing it back before it hatches is not looking good since I could find it 1 week into my 21 day trip.

I won't go any further, you get the point and I get yours. So.. if anyone wants to stop with the disclaimers/warnings/naysaying I'd love to hear about known species in the countries listed in the title of my thread. Oh and if anyone wants to give me some pointers on finding Ootheca, that'd be greeeaaaat.

Yes, I'm being a bit of a poopy-bottoms but what can I say? It's almost bed time! lol

 

[lectricblueyes]

:lol: Your right, sorry SiR!

That's right little miss!

 

[superfreak]

im sure you can get an ooth across in your pants. but i wouldnt try it with live mantids!

and im serious - are they really gonna be searchin you looking for bugs? you might get a pat down but as long as youre not carrying drugs or explosives or like a giant parrot strapped to your chest you'll be fine.

 

[lectricblueyes]

im sure you can get an ooth across in your pants. but i wouldnt try it with live mantids! and im serious - are they really gonna be searchin you looking for bugs? you might get a pat down but as long as youre not carrying drugs or explosives or like a giant parrot strapped to your chest you'll be fine.

This is an idea I hadn't even considered... I could put the ootheca in my butt!!

 

[PhilinYuma]

This is an idea I hadn't even considered... I could put the ootheca in my butt!!

You'd better stick an ice pack up there too! Otherwise the temperature (above 99F) might cause the ooth to hatch! Now that's something I'd REALLY like to see. :lol:

 

[superfreak]

:lol:

 

[Peter Clausen]

LOL...funny stuff.

Hey, I think you'll find oothecae if you consistently search around the lights in rural/jungle areas. I thought you were looking for live mantises. I was going to have some mailed to you while you were down there. My parents live near Lake Chapala. I don't import/export ANY of the cool stuff we find down there. By the way, they can ship anything out of the country, but just not to the USA.

Unfortunately, it isn't really mantis season down there right now. I talked to my mom on the phone today and she said they are recently hatched. What mantises are out are small nymphs. She had one hop on her foot while she was watering the garden the other day. Things might be different over in the East. I was thinking you were starting in the West (so many "Playas" en Mexico). Adults mantises are around during the wet season (June to early September).

I thought you were going down there to look for bugs specifically. Too bad you won't be on the West side, caving. Acanthophrynus coronatus!

 

[lectricblueyes]

You'd better stick an ice pack up there too! Otherwise the temperature (above 99F) might cause the ooth to hatch! Now that's something I'd REALLY like to see. :lol:

Holy God it's WAY too early lol I need to drink more coffee and not have it shoot through my nose from laughter.

 

[lectricblueyes]

Stay tuned. My friend in southern Mexico is going to take pictures of the ones she sees in the area along with any Ooths. She's on spring break and has lots of time to kill

 

[hibiscusmile]

:lol:

I can see it now, Headlines! Americans and their funny customs! or Smugglar caught carrying bugs in his butt! 60 days to see what comes out!

 

[nasty bugger]

You'd better stick an ice pack up there too! Otherwise the temperature (above 99F) might cause the ooth to hatch! Now that's something I'd REALLY like to see. :lol:

And the the Richard Gere/Gary Shandling stories were funny... but this'll bring a new kinda notoriety to the hobby, maybe even open a few eyes, while opening other cavities... :lol:

You could mail them to Emile or somebody else in canada, and they could mail them down here. I'd bet Emile would do if for an ooth or two of a rare variety.

 

[hierodula]

Wow, very cool! Actually, we will be going to Belize City. It's one of many places. Mexico City, Cancun, Chechen Itzu, and a host of other small towns. We are indeed zip lining in Guatemala and the zip line starts at the top of a mountain and you zip across the top of the rain forest from one canopy platform to the next as you descent over the rain forest. We have so many things were going to do, I can't wait. We have a basic outline of the main stuff were doing but were going to put the final touches on our plans 2 1/2 weeks before I come down there to meet my friend. It's very exciting! A real adventure. We are going by way of the roads mostly with a short flight into Belize City from Guatemala. I DO hope to do some Caving and repelling too if I can! I LOVE caving. Check my profile, I have some pictures of my latest expedition a few months ago. I really don't know how much time I'll have to look for Ootheca. Honestly, this trip isn't about bug hunting and it's possible I might only get 1-2 of my 3 weeks to find bugs.

Thanks for the information and the details. I'll have to check in with Heather and see if I can get a guided dive. I'm actually going to email my Mexican friend this information tonight and see what she thinks. Thanks!

Hey, maybe you can find some large Leaf Mantids there. If you you get em , they're sensitive. I also did some research and apparently many species there are large. If u find 1 I call dibbs :lol:

 

[PhilinYuma]

Hey, maybe you can find some large Leaf Mantids there. If you you get em , they're sensitive. I also did some research and apparently many species there are large. If u find 1 I call dibbs :lol:

Poor guy! It looks as though, by the time folks have stopped calling dibbs, you won't have anything for yourself!

Just want you to know that I'm not laying claim to anything. I know that you'll send me something anyway, just as sure as I know that I'm not going to say anything to my friends in ICE about your trip...

What did you say your POE was, again?

 

[hierodula]

Poor guy! It looks as though, by the time folks have stopped calling dibbs, you won't have anything for yourself!Just want you to know that I'm not laying claim to anything. I know that you'll send me something anyway, just as sure as I know that I'm not going to say anything to my friends in ICE about your trip...

What did you say your POE was, again?

:blink: I just want a new species

 

[hierodula]

How do you think many of us Mantis lovers have come to have such a variety of species from so many places in the world? Magic? But, thanks for the warning! I'm getting so much pressure from so many people around me about the dangers of Mexico right now. When you actually speak with people actually LIVE in MEXICO it's pretty much isolated to one area. You know, if you lived in another country and all you saw was news about the USA, you'd think the USA was a gun-maniac heck hole. Living in Chicago, you just know where you don't belong and where you do belong. Having someone who is completely familiar with the area sure is a big help. I won't be anywhere near the border where you hear all the news stories. As far as me taking an Ootheca and smuggling it into this country...

Again, I HIGHLY doubt I'll find an Ootheca. IF I do, the only way in heck I would bring it back is if I took photos, uploaded them here, and if it's ID'd as already captive.. it's going back into the rainforest.

1. Finding time for Ootheca hunting is extremely limited.

2. Finding an Ootheca at all is nearly impossible, especially for a noob like me.

3. Finding an Ootheca for a species that's not already captive is rare, at best.

4. Me bringing it back before it hatches is not looking good since I could find it 1 week into my 21 day trip.

I won't go any further, you get the point and I get yours. So.. if anyone wants to stop with the disclaimers/warnings/naysaying I'd love to hear about known species in the countries listed in the title of my thread. Oh and if anyone wants to give me some pointers on finding Ootheca, that'd be greeeaaaat.

Yes, I'm being a bit of a poopy-bottoms but what can I say? It's almost bed time! lol

try looking in large groups of vines leaves etc. I always find ooths infront of my house behind a bush

 

[hibiscusmile]

:lol: What a crazy group of forum members here, all for one and one for one! Gotta love us! :lol:

 

[lectricblueyes]

If I do get Ooths or enough mantids and they are not in captivity, I'll be sending them to the nearest experienced breeder. She's a 1 1/2 hour drive away and that's Katnapper. If we produce nyphs, I'd have them sent out to other experienced breeders.

Here's the thing though, unless I find multiple Ooths from multiple mantids, won't they all just slowly degrade due to the fact that they are being imbred over and over again?

 

[lectricblueyes]

try looking in large groups of vines leaves etc. I always find ooths infront of my house behind a bush

Okay, thanks. I'm guessing that low-level plants which have vines and thick enough branches will be okay. As in, I won't have to climb up trees to find them.

 

[yen_saw]

Best of luck to your coming trip Dave. Enjoy the trip as much as possible don't get burden up by finding mantis, and be safe. i hope to do the same on my trip next month. Be sure to share some pics and info of your trip when you're back here