[_Stefan_ (OP)]

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/splendidbetta/Praying%20Mantids/

Please be sure to open the sub-albums (in each sub-album too) []

Pseudomantis albofimbriata is a native species, I am releasing the nymphs as they hatch.

Miomantis caffra is an introduced African pest that has out competed the New Zealand mantid species of genus Orthodera and I assume by extension that it is damaging Australian native species' populations too. So I will not release these. I'll try my hand at raising them. Should be interesting  []
( http://www.insectstore.com/miomantis-sp-egyptian-mantis-caresheet.php
http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/8333/hatch3cx.jpg
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/photo44449.htm )

There's a theory that colour in these mantids can be influenced by temperature and humidity. I'm interested in seeing if there is some truth to it.

[DoctorBeaver]

I get a PAGE NOT FOUND error with the photobucket link and only the image139 displays anything. The others cause errors.

Mantises are amazing creatures. I used to get lots of them in & around my house when I lived in Africa. I remember 1 morning I went into the toilet & there was 1 hanging on the net curtain. I was that close to it I could see every detail. I thought the most striking features were the eyes. They were huge, a blueish-purple colour, and shimmered translucently. It just hung on the curtain staring at me while I did what I had gone into the toilet to do  []

Although they are not dangerous in themselves, their feet are very sharp and can pierce your skin. So don't let them walk over you as the bacteria on their feet can cause you problems.

[_Stefan_ (OP)]

Sorry! I've hopefully fixed the links.

Thanks for your comments DB

Their feet are safe and they don't damage the skin though.

[DoctorBeaver]

Sorry! I've hopefully fixed the links.

Thanks for your comments DB

Their feet are safe and they don't damage the skin though.

I was told that by a doctor in Uganda. Maybe there are different types.

[DoctorBeaver]

Just looked at your pics. The eyes are a different colour from the ones we used to get.

The pics are great.

[paul.fr]

Hi Stefan, the first 3 links don't work for me.

[Karen W.]

Hi Stephan, those are terrific pictures! They look just like the ones here. The children are always picking them up and putting them in the bug catcher to view for the day. Absolutely terrific pics! I did not know that about the feet we have always held them and allowed them to walk on our hands, I will certainly use more caution and pass that on to the children..Thanks!

[Karen W.]

Whoops I thought that was your comment sorry doc!

Stefan I see that you have commented also.

Thanks for that I was worrying that all the handling the kids could get hurt. I am glad they cannot. They have never hurt me so I was thinking we have been very lucky. They are fragile so the children need to be very careful. Thanks Stefan! I have seen them be to excited and hurt one s leg so they really need supervision at least so they don't hurt the mantids.

[ukmicky]

Nope i cant see the pictures either. Great vid of the betta displaying to the mirror though.

[_Stefan_ (OP)]

Thanks for the comments everyone

I'm sorry about the broken links. I tried to fix them again, so...
The photobucket definitely should work. Are you actually opening the sub-albums?

Thanks for exploring the betta side of my album Micky

[Karen W.]

All of your links have been working fine for me since yesterday when I posted. Great pictures and links!

[Monox D. I-Fly]

My favorite animal when I was 12. Are they related to grasshoppers? Because in my native language, their name translates to "praying grasshopper" instead.

[Kryptid]

My favorite animal when I was 12. Are they related to grasshoppers? Because in my native language, their name translates to "praying grasshopper" instead.

They were once classified with the grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera, but now have their own order: Mantodea. They are currently considered as being more closely related to cockroaches, as both Blattodea (roaches) and Mantodea (mantises) are under the superorder Dictyoptera. Take a look at a roach's head some time. It does bear a resemblance to that of a mantis.

[Monox D. I-Fly]

My favorite animal when I was 12. Are they related to grasshoppers? Because in my native language, their name translates to "praying grasshopper" instead.

They were once classified with the grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera, but now have their own order: Mantodea. They are currently considered as being more closely related to cockroaches, as both Blattodea (roaches) and Mantodea (mantises) are under the superorder Dictyoptera. Take a look at a roach's head some time. It does bear a resemblance to that of a mantis.

When was the order Mantodea established?