Do Praying Mantises really bite people? And do they hurt if they do?

Question

Do Praying Mantises really bite people? And do they hurt if they do?

Answer 1

you know what, i havent actually deeply thought about what its like to get bitten, so no.

Answer 2

they rarely bite people but i am guessing it would feel like a bee sting

Answer 3

They dont bite, play with them as much as you like!

Answer 4

No, they do not bite people.  Their mandible does not exert enough pressure to penetrate the human skin, nor are they able to pierce it.  No need to worry! :-)

Answer 5

They can bite but usually don't. If your mantis bites, don't fling him away. It could result in his fatal injury if he falls from high up or hits something.

A mantis will bite if you hold it and annoy it, but it can’t hurt you unless you have very thin skin. An average adult would only feel a pinch without any other effect.

Answer 6

yea... they can bite.  It isnt very painfull, certinly not something to kill it over... but if you irritate one long enough, it will do what it can to diswade further annoyance.

They have enough force in there mandible to open beatle shells, ...   some bigger mantises even hunt larger critters, like smale birds, or lizards.



Those aren't native to  N America tho. Ours are much smaller.

Answer 7

I hold them all the time.  No they don't bite, they just scratch you with there little praying claws or whatever but even that doesn't hurt.  It's more of an intense tickle that's all.  People get scared so easily, and I don't know why.