Can I hold a praying mantis in my hand?
Are there some species that are poisonous?
2007-01-11 07:17:05 · 15 answers · asked by fespinal4444 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Is it prAying or prEying mantis or mantids?
2007-01-11 07:27:15 · update #1
Yes, you can hold them -- but be careful, they DO bite. And draw blood! I should know, used to collect them as a child.
http://virtualmagic.blogspot.com/2006/10/praying-mantis.html
2007-01-11 07:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think any of them are poisonous.
Its praying (not preying as one person said) in fact the most common one has a scientific name of 'Mantis religiosa' which lets you know exactly where the term came from - early naturalists thought that the arms clasped up together looked as if it was deep in prayer - some of those early naturalists even thought the creature evil for pretending to pray when it was hunting for prEy - luckily we dont explain animal behaviour in terms of our own anymore. They're more often called Mantids these days and they're in the order Mantodea.
They're the only insects that can turn their heads and look over their shoulder! Their strikes with the raptorial forearms are incredibly fast. Amazing little beasts!
2007-01-11 07:43:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The praying mantis is not poisonous and is in fact quite beneficial. It is a voracious predator of other insects and helps control the populations of detrimental species. Mantids do not bite but when they are held the spines on their forelegs may produce a pinching sensation.
2007-01-11 07:22:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The praying mantis is not poisonous and is in fact quite beneficial. It is a voracious predator of other insects and helps control the populations of detrimental species.
**The author says that mantis do not bite but when they are held the spines on their forelegs may produce a pinching sensation.
2007-01-11 07:22:23 · answer #4 · answered by just jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are about 1,700 varieties of praying mantis. Praying mantis will not bite, but they will pinch if handled.The praying mantis is not poisonous and is in fact quite beneficial. It is a voracious predator of other insects.
2007-01-11 07:22:50 · answer #5 · answered by ebush73 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can a hold a praying mantis. Do be careful they can bite. They are different, they eat alot of the smaller insects. Did you know that in some states if you kill one you can be fined.
2007-01-11 07:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by daisy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can hold a praying mantis in your hand, if you're careful. They have spikes on their arms, and if you make yours angry, it'll prick you.
I don't think any species are poisonous to humans.
2007-01-11 07:36:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are friendly and watchful little guys, their heads turn about as they watch what you are doing. They are not poisonous but they CAN bite and it does hurt so be gentle! They are carnivores and can be taught to take a bit of raw hamburger from you and eat it while sitting on your arm, especially the big females who seem to always be ravenous. I usually have one or two living in the house during the summer, not sure how they get in but they eat bugs and generally stay out of sight so I leave them be.
2007-01-11 07:21:50 · answer #8 · answered by Jadalina 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I used to hold them all the time when I was a kid
prEying mantis
2007-01-11 07:21:23 · answer #9 · answered by Mary Mary Jane 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes...
I did just a few months ago. We had one hanging out side our building.
They may be protected in some states as they are a beneficial insect.
Poisonous, never heard of that but do not know.
2007-01-11 07:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋