Our New Pet.....Ate a Frog!

[melodys_angel]

That's an interesting find--you don't really hear about a mantis soo close to well..us <3

[SeashellnBubbles]

Coortion depends on species and genetics...size is generally the best indicator of sex since color can sometimes be arbitrary. You'll know she's pregnant (in insects it's called gravid) by her abdomen getting bigger. Judge her release time on that and you should be ok..(Hey're great little learning ambassidors and teach children not to be afraid of the wild and wacky (and sometimes scary) world of insects.
They aren't difficult to care for, but they need specific areas to lay their eggs since they may over-winter before they hatch. If you wake up one day and find a mass that ooks like injected foam insulation then that's the egg case. Chances are it's still a little early, so you're probably good.
I feel the temporary confinement of one critter (as long as it's released) is an awesome way to educate and be inspired to protect not only the big and sexy animals like tigers and giraffes or whales, but also the small, hidden ecosystems and critters that are actully responsible for the health and well being of the planet earth.
Great name by the way

[BigHicks1977]

Coortion depends on species and genetics...size is generally the best indicator of sex since color can sometimes be arbitrary. You'll know she's pregnant (in insects it's called gravid) by her abdomen getting bigger. Judge her release time on that and you should be ok..(Hey're great little learning ambassidors and teach children not to be afraid of the wild and wacky (and sometimes scary) world of insects.
They aren't difficult to care for, but they need specific areas to lay their eggs since they may over-winter before they hatch. If you wake up one day and find a mass that ooks like injected foam insulation then that's the egg case. Chances are it's still a little early, so you're probably good.
I feel the temporary confinement of one critter (as long as it's released) is an awesome way to educate and be inspired to protect not only the big and sexy animals like tigers and giraffes or whales, but also the small, hidden ecosystems and critters that are actully responsible for the health and well being of the planet earth.
Great name by the way

Thank you for your comments and we did plan to keep her for a few weeks for educational reasons for my little girl...PLUS she is just plain cool and she will only be with us a few more days till she is returned to have more mantis

[Issame]

Tree frogs (at least here in FL) are becoming increasingly more rare as the years roll on, as invasive species are taking them out, depleting their food sources and overall driving them to extinction.  Seeing a semi rare mantis in captivity is a little hard on my heart as it is- knowing you fed it a semi rare tree frog makes me sad inside. 

[BigHicks1977]

Tree frogs (at least here in FL) are becoming increasingly more rare as the years roll on, as invasive species are taking them out, depleting their food sources and overall driving them to extinction.  Seeing a semi rare mantis in captivity is a little hard on my heart as it is- knowing you fed it a semi rare tree frog makes me sad inside. 

Im sorry it made you sad but a mantis gota eat and the frog happened to be the meal.....and I am up to my eyeballs around here with tree frogs and I have seen several mantis so hope that makes the pain a little less....or not

[SeashellnBubbles]

The food chain can be a little harsh sometimes, especially when the eater is less cute than the eaten! Lol! Most people wouldn't think twice about feeding a bug to a frog, but the other way around can be...disturbing, to say the least! It was probably a shock to see it happen...I hope the kids weren't too freaked out by it
Frogs are on a dcline around the world, but personally natural death through predation is...well...natural. Not like toxins and pollutants that we inject into the food chain.
It's interesting to see everyone's take on this...it's nice that there are people who'll stick up for the little guy without being offencive or defencive about it. I love this place for that!

[StoryDreamer]

This topic has been interesting because I learned several new things about mantids, and tree frogs in general. Thanks for the enlightening; helps me appreciate our eco system just a bit better.

[TheBeatlesPkmnFan42]

Whoa! That's awesome!

[Talismarr]

This topic has been interesting because I learned several new things about mantids, and tree frogs in general. Thanks for the enlightening; helps me appreciate our eco system just a bit better.

Agreed! I've never seen a mantis before in real life, but have always been kinda creeped out by the idea that they eat their mate... poor male mantis

[SeashellnBubbles]

What's even more wild is that when she does start to eat him (doesnkt happen every time but it does happen a lot) she'lleat his head first while he's on her back and his body will continue to mate with her even after decapitation! It's actually kind of a good idea...by providing her instant nourishment she's full afterward and will generally just laze around digesting for a whiile instead of gallavanting all over the place! Ensures as much as possible she doesn't run into another male...very cool. Plus the food helps the growing embryos...not everyone's cup of tea but, hey...propogation is what it all about! Talking about putting all your eggs in one basket!!

[Loa]

This topic has been interesting because I learned several new things about mantids, and tree frogs in general. Thanks for the enlightening; helps me appreciate our eco system just a bit better.

Agreed! I've never seen a mantis before in real life, but have always been kinda creeped out by the idea that they eat their mate... poor male mantis

Really? Mantis' are common here, I love when the baby ones come and visit. They are tiny but so bold!