I had one not long ago in my room, hiding on the curtain and making a terrible noise, not letting me sleep.
I did not know you can catch them and hold them, but you were lucky as you got a photo model for free 😁
It's a nice one by the way and congrats on the photos!
Are you sure it was a mantis? I haven´t read anything about them making some noise :) Well, it was my sister´s idea to hold it, I would probaby just take photos as it was on the tree but my sister actually enjoys holding and petting all kind of animals including those that many people wouldn´t touch :D