Check this beast out!!

[jb666]

Mantis are cool, they remind me of some kind of weird "Alien" type creature (not that i know what Alien's look like  ) Not trying to Hijack but check this guy out! it's a Giant Weta we get them down here they are like Amour plated, Bad ass ugly, big version's of Locusts, or Grass hoppers they bite, and jump far and can be 8 inches + in size.
I've found a few hiding around the Charger before gives you a bit of a fright when you first come across them

This thing still freaks me out... I'd have crapped myself and run the other way. That thing needs a saddle and a fenced in area. 

[mikesbbody]

This thing still freaks me out... I'd have crapped myself and run the other way. That thing needs a saddle and a fenced in area. 

They say they are "Harmless" but I can tell you I've been bitten by them more than once and it hurt! 
Their legs have "spikes" on them too! I'm actually surprised nobody mentioned about how Prey Mantis can fly
That's one thing the Giant weta can't do.

[mikesbbody]

A few more pics for you Jeff  I just hope the one crawling on that guy's face is a photoshop!

[dart3404]

Cool, they have little toe nails like my tarantulas. I think by harmless they mean a bite is not going to send you to the hospital. Unless you get so freaked out by it you have a heart attack.      I need to get me one of them to photograph.

Orchid mantis babies look just like little aliens from space.They are quite tiny though. Only adult mantids can fly.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Sweet jeebus Jen those things are wicked looking!  Funny thing also is the fact that they all look like they are "posing" for the camera!

[b5blue]

Cooooooooool little guy  

[Road Dog]

Here's one.

[dart3404]

Sweet jeebus Jen those things are wicked looking!  Funny thing also is the fact that they all look like they are "posing" for the camera!

They are quite interested in the camera for some reason. They used to jump on it all the time.


Shes a biggin road dog. looks like she might be ready to lay some eggs.

[jeryst]

DART3404, those are some beautiful pics. I didnt realize there were so many different types of Mantis. Where are all of those from, and how did you get them?

[dart3404]

Thank you.
Most of the mantids i kept are Asian species. I buy them on-line and have them shipped. This is one of the best places to get everything you would need. http://mantisplace.com/

The first two are Ghost mantids (Phyllocrania Paradoxa). Next two are boxer Mantis (Oxypilus) Next is a Devil flower Mantis (Blepharopsis Mendica), an Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus Coronatus). Next two is of a Bud Wing Mantis (Parasphendale Agrionina). This is a good beginners mantis. A Chinese Mantis. This is the one most of us see. Next is an Orchid Mantis, and another of the Chinese. The last ones I posted was my Orchid Oothecae (egg case) hatchingout, and then some of the babies.

You can see more of my pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sublimedart/ If you look on the sidebar you will see all the sets.

If your interested there is a great forum for mantids, breeding, buying, and tons of pictures.
http://mantidforum.net/forums/

[jeryst]

Thanks for the links.

What type of lighting do you use?

[dart3404]

I use different light sources. For some I used a home made lightbox, Diffused flash by putting white tissue paper over the flash, and natural light by just going outside and putting them on a tree or a flower.