They Grow up so fast.

I tried raising mantises late this summer. It proved very difficult, and out of about 200, I released about 80, many died from ironically either starvation or being eaten by each other, and I am now left with three.

I am not happy with how many I was able to keep alive, but it has been a really rewarding experience.

This photo was taken in August. It's impossible to know if it is one of the three still alive, I should have kept better records; but it could be. As you can see, newly hatched mantises are very small. My largest now is probably about 9cm/3.5 inches.

They grow really fast in two months. I know they are just insects, simple brains, small souls; and I know they are still alive, but I am going to miss them.