How to tame a grasshopper

Most people don't know it, but grasshoppers make great pets! It once was an ancient practice in China to keep a grasshopper as a pet, but it has enjoyed a resurgence recently, not only in China but all over the world! So try catching and taming one yourself, and you too will be able to have a lovable pet grasshopper.

Things You'll Need

• Grasshopper
• area with plants (forest, field, meadow, garden)
• jar or fish tank
• cotton ball

Instructions

Taming Grasshoppers!

1. Search for a grasshopper on a meadow, field, or garden, any place that you could find one. Look around especially for plants that have holes on their leaves. The smaller the grasshopper you find (about a half inch), the better, because that's the sign of a young grasshopper. It's easier to tame a young grasshopper.

2. Catch the grasshopper and place it into a jar or fish tank. Ge gentle. It is important to make sure your container has holes so the grasshopper can breathe!

3. To begin the taming process, take your grasshopper out of the jar by gently picking it up with two hands. Then put both your hands around it and close them. At first the grasshopper will be moving and squirming around a bit, so wait for that to cease. It could take a little bit, so be patient. Then proceed to open your hands very slowly. Afterwards, gently place the grasshopper back into the jar.

4. Repeat step 3 every day for about a week or so. If the grasshopper doesn't hop away while in your hands, then consider it a job well done. Your grasshopper is tamed!

5. Feed your grasshopper. Grasshoppers do not eat insects. They feed on plants and grass. You can provide your grasshopper with water by wetting a cotton ball and placing it into your tank or jar.

Tips & Warnings

• Grasshoppers are tiny creatures. Be gentle with them, they're a lot smaller than you are!