Hello from a pet newbie.

Well, I have a ginger tabby cat if that counts for something. I used to have two goldfish as a child, but they were from a funfair (or carnival to you perhaps) and they died rather prematurely.

Anyway! How's it going? I'm generally new to the more exotic pet scene, because that's what I want to delve into. The thing is, I'm currently unable to do so, but I love reading about various kinds of animals. I need to wait until I can move into an apartment that allows pets.

I've taken a big interest in the praying mantis. I love how alien they look and their behaviours. So I think before getting any reptiles or less manageable bugs, I'll get a mantis. Hopefully during my time here I'll learn a thing or two about pets in general.

Pleased to meet you.

Hello Mantis,
Welcome aboard.

Of course a cat counts as a pet. You are qualified. :p Joke. Everyone is qualified to join our pet community as long as they love pets.

I believe many apartments have nothing against fish even if they do not allow other pets. As long as the fish tank isn't gigantic of course. If you are interested in getting into fish hobby again, I am the fish person right here. We can help you do everything correctly this time.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Tropical fish interest me, although it goes without saying for many smaller pets that tanks can cost a lot. I was recently a student and I'm for the time being I'm living with my parents, and they're quite against me owning any kind of pet. (That's mostly due to my mother who restricts our cat to one room, and my dad's a cat lover, what a happy couple...)

Looking forward to future discussions.

Yeah, keep tropical aquarium can get expensive especially on the initial investment. Once everything is set up, the maintenance is not expensive at all. In fact, not much maintenance is needed besides one a week partial water change and once a day feeding.

Would they against you for owning a 5 gallon or 20L Betta tank in your own room? I'd think owning a single Betta is a good start for going for bigger more complex tropical community aquarium.

Don't forget to check in with us cat people occasionally as well! Although of all the pet websites I've seen this one seems to have more for people with non-traditional pets, don't forget your poor restricted orange tabby needs love too.

lol @ Karen, our forum is set up to be equal for all pet species. :p

A forum for all pet species is what our forum is all about. We have no control over which type of pet owners join most frequently. I am sure over time, there will be more dog and cat owners than any other pet owners. They are after all the most popular pets around. Tradition, it changes over time. You'll never know what will be the "traditional" pets in the future. Who knows, it could be monkeys, or squid.

Cats definitely count. I am a reptile guy, mostly snakes, and have been for years. But if you were to pin me to the wall, and force me to pick one animal, my big Maine coon is a true part of the family. so...

I have never really been into bugs, but mantis are awesome! There is an amazing variation in types and colours, which is one of the things that draws me to reptiles. Here is a pic I stumbled across of a very beautiful little bug...



And on the thought of what types of pet owners will join more frequently, I have found the more uncommon and more exotic the animals, the more people are on different forums. It is allot easier to find good info on cats and dogs than monitor lizards, praying mantis, and why the hell can't I keep the PH up in my tank. And the same with veterinary services. Either way, the point of a board like this is for people who have and love all different types of animals.

Wouldn't have it any other way!

It is the first time I have seen a purple mantis. I used to think they are all green. Is it a selective breed or natural wild breed?

Hello and welcome to the forum! Ginger tabbys definitely count btw.

Thanks a lot everyone. Yes, mantids come in all sorts of colours. Indeed, many often see the orchid mantis as the most beautiful.



The praying mantis is a master of camouflage. Below is the leaf mantis.



Heck, there's even a dead leaf mantis:

Haha, the dead leaf mantis, I had no idea they existed until now. Where might I find one of those?

I'm pretty sure I saw them on eBay before sold as feeder food. (To comply with their policies, as I'm sure you'll know.) It depends where you live. I found some in the UK, and you don't even get mantids in the wild here. If you're in the US you'll surely find them somewhere.

They are amazing. It creates an emotional conundrum of sorts for me. I actually breed some insects from time to time, for feeders. So keeping one alive intentionally seems odd. But if I were to keep an insect that would probably be it. Or a bird-eater.

So many nice mantis photos. Could have made a great thread in the insect section of the forum.