Praying mantids

Praying mantids are slim insects with triangular heads, large eyes, and a huge pair of front legs. Their name refers to the fact that when they fold their extra-large front legs, it looks like they are praying. Praying mantids are excellent hunters. They stalk, kill, and eat small frogs, and lizards. They even prey on other praying mantids! They grab their prey with the spines and hooks of their giant front legs and begin eating with powerful, crushing jaws. If they were as large as a lions or tigers, they would be among the most frightening creatures on Earth. Many mantids are highly specialized for hunting in their specific environment. The dung mantid, for example, is a chocolate-colored insect only a couple of centimeters long. It lives in southern Africa and hunts small flies and other insects that are attracted to fresh piles of elephant poo. Most mantids are well camouflaged by their colors and patterns. One group is called the “flower mantids” because they are bright pink, red, and white so they blend in with the flowers they hunt near. When bees and butterflies fly by, they don’t see the flower mantid lying in wait until it is too late. Female praying mantids lay up to 400 eggs in a foam-like egg case called an ootheca. The ootheca dries to look and feel like hard paper. Inside the ootheca, the tiny insects hatch and develop. Some female mantid species stand guard over the ootheca. They protect it from predators until the babies hatch. The babies look like miniature versions of mom. Shortly after hatching, baby praying mantids are able to use their front legs to catch small flies and other insects to eat. They even eat each other! In China, praying mantids are kept in the house and garden as pets to bring good luck. They are even given at weddings for good luck.

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