Only just noticed this, sorry.
yorkshiregoth said:
Are you a proud owner of a praying mantis as displayed in your avatar?
Not exactly, more accurate would be to say it 'owns' me. Leastways, they were there in the garden of the house in France which we bought three years ago, long before we came on the scene, so they have more right to be there. They're lovely insects, quite tame as you can see, and an impressive sight. Sadly I have seen far fewer this year than last (when the piccy was taken).
If so I was thinking of getting one and would appreciate some advice.
Never heard of them being kept as pets, but who knows? Do as we did, then: find a house with a reasonable-sized garden, they seem to like long grass. You probably need to be about latitude 45° or further south.