While we were in Napier, we got acquainted with Don and Liz's pet mantises. These are very cute little creatures, but as they are kept confined in tanks it's up to Don to catch flies with which to feed them. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the flies as they buzzed around inside the tanks, inches from something intent on eating them and with no hope of escape. And I was quite revolted when one mantis caught a fly by the wings and then began to eat it from the tail end up. It may just be a fly, but it was still horrible to watch it struggle to free itself while its abdomen was being eaten away.
Having said that, they were certainly interesting to watch when they weren't eating - like little green aliens. I don't think we could keep them as pets - I wouldn't be willing to feed them live prey, and if we let them out they themselves would probably become live prey for our chickens - but they're very photogenic.
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