How much damage?

Fuzznutz

New member
Okay, this 3" Mantis is quite smart. A: It avoids all my traps. B: When I have it in rock and try to remove the rock it always gets away. My question is this, how much damage would this 3" terror do to my hand if I were to grab him? I have had the chance, I just wasn't willing to "take one for the team" with a nickname like "thumb splitter". I guess the real question is whether or not it can due such damage at this small size?
 
a 3inch smasher can stab you and make you bleed a lil, but the damage would not be very significant. only thing to be wary of is that bacteria live on their smashers and can give you an infection quite easily... just be wary.

fyi, "thumbsplitter" aplies to large mantids... like 6inch peacocks or foot long L.macs.
 
Dr. Roy has said that some smashers may revert to spearing if cornered or captured. If you get speared, the cut may be small, but the damage done to the soft tissues may cause quite a bit of bleeding.
 
If you get stuck you will bleed like a stuck pig. Been there done that, got the blood stained t-shirt to proove it. Plus getting smacked around with the club is not a plesant experience. Been there also.

If you can, try isolating the rock it's in by moving the rest of the rocks but leaving home base alone. Then bag the whole rock so if it does make a break for it, it's still in the bag. Remove the whole thing and get the little bugger.

Got to respect their intelligence. Its like a Damsel, they KNOW when you are after them.
 
Do NOT grab this thing. Will cause holes and associated leakage. If you can grab him, you can net him. Much safer.

Dan
 
Thanks for the responses! I was able to get the rock out it was in, FINALLY! Then, I hear "snap, snap" in the tank...my heart sank until I realized I actually have 2 Mantis...eek! So now, one in the bucket (smaller) and one still on the loose. I will keep trying.
 
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