Fascinations GreenEarth Praying Mantis Kit

by Fascinations

Product Features

• Fascinations designs product to illustrate many magical aspects of our world
• Learn about the life cycle, biology and care of insects
• Nature kits created to hatch and grow live insects
• Learn all about life cycles and biology while discovering the fascinating miniature world of live insects
• Interactive, educational, and non-violent

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 2 inches ; 12.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000GYWXM8
• Item model number: GE101
• Our recommended age: 36 months - 6 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 3 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,438 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #18 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Habitats
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Learn about the lifecycle, biology and care of insects, nature kits created to hatch and grow live insects. Learn all about life cycles and biology while discovering the fascinating miniature world of live insects. Designed to illustrate many magical aspects of our world, Fascinations products will cause you to react with amazement and ask "What makes that work?" or "How is that possible?" By working with engineers, scientists, magicians and most importantly, kids young and old, Fascinations is proud to bring you the best in truly unique toys and gifts. Order Praying Mantis Eggs online @ www.scientificsonline.com/alive (availability of praying mantis subject to weather conditions)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'll let you in on some secrets, October 9, 2011

By 

meaganElise9 - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fascinations GreenEarth Praying Mantis Kit (Toy)

Ok, first of all, if you're interested in owning and raising mantids, this isn't necessarily the best place to start. If you don't already know, this product comes with the housing, a pipette, a pair of forceps, and a magnifying glass. It comes with some very interesting information as well as suggestions on where you can order an ootheca (mantis egg sac), but that is a separate cost and when you receive that ooth after ordering depends entirely upon what time of year you order it because you're really relying on nature and mantids lay oothecae in approximately the third week of fall. Theoretically, based on the information provided with the kit, you could go find your own ootheca in nature and hatch it at home (that is, of course, if you want to have a couple hundred babies around to take care of). Sounds overwhelming for a beginner.
This container would be ideal for perhaps an adult mantis but not a nymph. Not only that, you can buy the same thing here:[...] although at ikea, it's for laundry. Ha!
Frankly, what I suggest instead is going to two websites: mantisplace.com and mantidforum.net. Between those two, you can acquire all the knowledge you need to raise a mantis with the Appropriate materials, which, for a nymph will probably involve a simple plastic container you can buy at the grocery store.. Not only that, you can also choose between a multitude of amazing species!

41 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars READ BEFORE BUYING - BUYER BEWARE!!, September 13, 2010

By 

happy mom 239736 "atort" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Fascinations GreenEarth Praying Mantis Kit (Toy)

The reviews for this item aren't the same as the product itself. This is a cool kit and the enclosed materials are really well done. However, it doesn't say that the praying mantis eggs aren't included with the kit. I totally understand that the eggs can't be packaged with the kit since they are alive. What I wasn't expecting was to have to pay another $12.95 to get the eggs. What I really wasn't expecting is that the eggs are only available January-April. So, my daughter spent several weeks of saved allowance on this kit only to find out that she can't do anything with it for 5 months. Really disappointed that this wasn't explained before they relieved an 8 year old of her allowance.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Waited a month for this now have to wait for mantis eggs., April 2, 2011

By 

elektrolad "elektrolad online" (US) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fascinations GreenEarth Praying Mantis Kit (Toy)

Wasn't sure why Amazon sat on this order for almost a month. I thought being a kit it would include everything you need. But, NO. Now I have to shell out more $$ for the eggs and wait a few more weeks. This is very difficult to explain to a 4 year old. Suppose we can use the "kit" to hatch butterflies when we are through with the mantis eggs...