Jakob and his not a friend anymore friend

Jakob was outside today, feeling left out since his older brother was at school and left him behind....
he happened upon a praying mantis and for a long time these two seemed to play nicely together..well Jake finally got the nerve to touch him and he was petting his (really long ugly back) and then he started screaming really loud and crying and he said it bit him. I have research these little (did I mention very ugly) critters and it says they do not bite, but Jake swears it did. and he certainly cried for a while over it...

does anyone know if they can bite?

awww poor guy, They c annot bite.

so do you think it was their little claws that got him? he definately had a red mark on his finger.

hmmmm maybe?? or did he scratch it on something else?

When I was in college at Carnegie Mellon (in Pennsylvania where apparently there are quite a few of these) I was walking minding my own business one day (shortly after I arrived to school) and as I walked by a bush, something...grabbed me...grabbed my wrist. I was startled and looked down and there was a large green praying mantis, looking me in the eye with some wisdom that only those who don't speak can know. There was something so wise and knowing in that creature's eyes...I could have sworn it would just open its mouth and speak. Anyway, I don't think they bite but they do grab, pretty hard and I imagine that can leave a mark. Idk where you live but my roommate, who was from the Pittsburgh area said it's illegal to kill a praying mantis in Pennsylvania, guess they're endangered or protected in some way.
They are harmless but they do grab hard.

Yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipes! I am so deathly afraid of bugs - especially THOSE....THINGS! If I were you I would have died right there of a heart attack. I am seriously getting the jitters thinking about it. Don't laugh - I'm serious guys, I am that bad about bugs!