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Appears to be either a Sphodromantis Lineola or a Hierodula Membranacea to me.

Is it aggressive? I heard that most mantids are aggressive in a book I have called bugs of America. I doubt that is correct cause I've seen lots of people handling them. When you go tp pick him uo does he attemp to grab you with his claw-like arms? Thanks.

sometimes. wild ones are genereally docile unless you ove quickly. My technique is to grab them by the neck, a little ways behind the head.

This is more than likely an African Mantis, genus Sphodromantis. Mantises are generally harmless to humans, preferring to stay motionless and hide or run away when approached. The best way to handle a Mantis is to coax it into climbing onto your hand, then hold your hand upwards, away from your face so the Mantis doesn't jump onto your face. Usually the Mantis will climb to the top of your hand and sit there, though it may try to fly if it's an adult. If a Mantis is mad, it'll let you know with a threat display wherein it rears back and spreads it's forelegs and wings (if it has them) out, trying to look as big and intimidating as possible. Only as a last resort will a Mantis try to pinch or bite, and even then they can't do much damage (even a large one like in the photo would be hard-pressed to break the skin enough to draw blood). Generally, if you're gentle with the Mantis, it won't have any reason to attack.