hi im new, i dont mean to sound girly, but do mantis bite, i guess they can, does it hurt, my mantis is only tiny at the mo but from what ive been told on this forum he could get pretty big, so is it better to get him used to hands now, before he can hurt, i know all this sound girly but im more worried about my reaction to being bitten and acidently harming the mantis, any tips on handling and sorry no offence to girls,

none of mine have bitten me, they can sometimes strike at you if they are ajatated but it doesnt hurt!

CURRENT:

1.0.0 H. Coronatus (Orchid mantid)
0.0.1 P. Paradoxa (ghost mantids)
1.0.6 Miomantis sp
0.0.1 P. Wahlbergii (Spiny flower)
3.2.0 O. Zebrata ( Zebra mantis)

if your an idiot and wiggle your finger infront of them like its food. but other than that, no
they're actually really friendly. some species are pretty skittish though but they won't harm you.

Collection:
Mantids; 0.1.0 Parasphendale agrionina, 0.1.0 Hymenopus coronatus, 0.1.0 Phyllocrania paradoxa, 1.0.0 Deroplatys dessicata Scorpions; 0.0.2 Heterometrus spinifer, 0.1.0 Liocheles australiasiae Tarantulas; 0.0.1 Grammostola rosea Geckos 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko Katydids 0.0.6 Stilpnochlora couloniana

My best pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckyl92/

as alex and becky said.. the only time they get "aggressive" is if you annoyed them to the extent that they see u as a threat and strike at you. it doesnt hurt at all, just makes u jump as they are so quick.
they are gentle and chilled so honestly, dont worry about them biting you as they have no need as you're not food!!
p.s. they might try and drink moisture from your fingers if they are thirsty so just spray them if they do that.

Sphodromantis Lineola
Hymenopus Coronatus
Miomantis sp
Polyspilota Griffinii
Gongylus Gongylodes
Phyllocrania Paradoxa
Hierodula salomonis
Popa Spurca
Hierodula Membranacea

Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Crested Gecko)
Lygodactylus Williamsi (Electric Blue Gecko)
Hadogenes troglodytes (Flat Rock)
Damon variegatus (Tailess Whip)
Lomachus Politus (Long Clawed)
Pandinus Cavimanus (Red Claw)
Grammostola Rosea (Chile Rose)
Pterinochilus murinus (Orange Starburst Baboon)

not entirely correct, adults of larger species can draw blood if they close their arms on you finger it does hurt !
just have to be carefull with the big girls
phil

View my pics at -http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

Hierodula Salomonis
Rhombodera sp
Pseudempusa pinnapavonis
Sphodromantis lineola
Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii [RIP]
Hierodula Membranacea
Phyllocrania Paradoxa
miomantis paykullii ?
Phasmomantis sumachrasti

i caught two nymph that "bite" me when I wrap them with my arm when I'm driving since there are no container with me those time, it is rather itchy than pain

Hi, Big, aggressive, wild or not handled much mantids can bite. Usually they have to grab you and them they will pull their mouth parts closer to you too cut you up with their mandibles lol this is rare but can happen. Usually, thankfully enough most mantids settle down in captivity, most get used to you with regular handling although certain specimens remain jumpy all their lives.
The important thing to remember is if you grab a mantis it will grab you back and then attempt to bite.
Always coax or usher a mantis on to you rather than physically grabbing it by putting a hand down in front of it and touching its back end to move it on to you, some times they will look round and give you an evil but usually this works, small to medium nymphs are no problem.
You will get to know how they work with time, they are quite predictable...usually

http://www.ukmantisforums.co.uk/your....html#post7007

Generally mantids dont bite, but today i got bitten by a cricket , it really hurt . lol

1.1.0 Fire Bellied Toads
2.0.0 Whites Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Albino Horned Frog
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Orchid Mantis
1.1.0 Ghost Mantids
0.1.0 Egyptian Mantids
0.0.2 Leaf insects
4.0.0 Cats

http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy133/Oly-Mantis-Boy/DSC02556.jpg

ahh, i have had loads do that to me it really pinches your skin :'(

CURRENT:

1.0.0 H. Coronatus (Orchid mantid)
0.0.1 P. Paradoxa (ghost mantids)
1.0.6 Miomantis sp
0.0.1 P. Wahlbergii (Spiny flower)
3.2.0 O. Zebrata ( Zebra mantis)

+1 Birdfly,

I had a big male dead leaf draw blood on my finger, he was newly matured and a little nervous, he did not bit me just gripped me with his raptorial arms lol

John

www.pawsforthoughtpetcentres.co.uk

The shop I work in's site

Keeping:-

Miomantis sp. 2.3.0 + 1 ooths
H. coronatus (Orchid) 0.2.0 + 5 ooths
G. gongylodes (Violin) 0.2.0
H. salomonis (Jade) 4.2.0
P. paradoxa (Ghost) 0.4.over 200 plus + 3 ooth
D. Lobata (Dead Leaf) 0.0.5
C. gemmatus 0.2.15 + 5 ooths
A. multicolor 0.0.13