"personality"

[Chivalry]

I'm just curious, so by way of survey, what is your favorite species you've kept, as far as that species' 'personality'? I realize this is a relative term and I'm not trying to anthropomorphize -- I mean more things like handleability, activity level, etc.

 

[patrickfraser]

Sphodromantis viridis for a big, gentle giant with classic looks. P. wahlbergii for exotic looks and fierce attitude with great threat display.

 

[Psychobunny]

I love the sphodromantids too, but the cilnia is my real pet. She is a sweetheart, and so cute

I have had 3 so far, and they have all been the friendliest and most docile mantids I have

ever seen.

So unfortunate that they are so rare!! I really wish there would be more of an effort to build this

species back up in the US.

I know they can have molting problems at L6 (all 3 of mine did, and one died).

 

[sinensispsyched]

Ghost mantis for their sweet looks and crazy camouflage.

Blue Flash mantis for their aggressive hunting and cool arms.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I like the cilnia's myself, never a dull moment when around them, they are sweeties and aggressive at same time, but the tiawan mantis has a fab personality, playing dead is a gas!

 

[lancaster1313]

My Heirodula multispina are very docile and easy to handle. I have had a couple that seem to have preferences for certain people. A male that would fly to my daughter almost every time, and a few of them (male and female) that would flatten themselves against my hand when strangers got too close. The only time I have even got a threat pose was from feeders and other mantids.

I have been doing very little handling lately and they get very shy when they are left alone alot.

I would like to have some feisty ones, like Cilnia humeralis, or Parasphendale affinis, but the H. multispina are a sweet species to show to children who might be frightened by a feisty mantis. I feel like I can trust them not to grasp fingers when they are well fed.

My Tenodera sinensis would catch a 'tude every once in a while, and seemed to love finger munching.

Stagmomantis carolina would often go running, or drop and be still when first let out of their containers, but they were usually fine after they got warmed up to handling for a couple of minutes.

 

[Chivalry]

Wow I put this in the wrong section completely, sorry about that... what I get for trying to navigate the forums on my phone. It doesn't look like I can move it.

We haven't kept very many species yet, and they're all pretty young, but I love the way my Pseudoharpax virescens zooms to the highest perch on my hand, looks around (almost always UP) and checks me out. She is super friendly (especially compared with the C. pictipennis I have). She's really active, especially when out.

Russ's baby is Pnigomantis medioconstricta and she is definitely partial to him... she'll sometimes ignore food if she can see his hands, and she seems to want to be on him, just hanging out. I'm hoping one of our Sphodromantis viridis babies will be my just hanging out buddy, when I don't have to worry about losing them.

 

[frogparty]

My Acanthops sp. are definitely the most people friendly mantid I have. They really seem to like being held and are super slow moving and inquisitive. My ghosts are still pretty docile but seem to just tolerate handlng while the Acanthops really seem to enjoy it.

 

[jimpaunik]

Wahlbergii - aggressive alert specie and very fun

 

[meaganelise9]

Based on personality.. That's a tough one. My Polyspilota aeruginosa were really nice. I had females. I've read the males are more timid. My Blepharopsis mendica has been very docile, and he kinda makes me laugh sometimes with how much he likes his honey treats. Sometimes if I try to interfere or help with his flies, he looks like he's shooting me dirty looks. funny.

The Oxyopsis gracilis are just precious. They're so curious and cute and gentle. I haven't had my ghost very long, but they sure are nice too. It's happy to just stand on my hand and hang out. My budwing has grown on me too with his wide little head.

Ok, obviously I can't choose a favorite.. haha. They're all nice! The one thing I will say is that my one wild-caught species is very easily scared. They panic and run and jump when disturbed compared to the rest.