Are we talking about some specific native mantid? At many gardening sites you can buy an entire ootheca and get over a hundred to hatch for less than $20!Originally Posted by MelissaFlipski
I have scorpions, T's and roaches. I've had milipedes before and that seems like it might be the best starter invert to get kids interacting with. Millipedes can secrete an oil onto your hands, so you will want to wash up after handling.
I keep dubia roaches myself as feeders. Hissers have a hard exoskeleton and as far as feeder roaches go, they don't make very good feeders.
Emperor scorpions and flat rock scorpions are often recommended as beginner scorpions. Both can be handled. The sting of a flat rock scorpion is very mild compared to a beesting. However, flat rock scorpions have larger claws and a pinch may be painful. (I keep flat rock scorpions, but I have never attempted to hold mine.)
I have never been a tarantula handlers and the species that make good handlers have urticating hairs. Since I react to urticating hairs, I choose not to handle the more handleable species at all.
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