Preying Mantis

[block2]

Hi All,

This as to be one of the most amazing creatures that i have come across while living in Thailand. They are not scared of humans, infact they like to be held. Their big eyes and the small black pupil follow your every movement. When you have one on your hand and you put a finger next to it's head it will rear up and start boxing with your finger..Amazing...They remind so much of the movie ET.

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/block2_photos/pm18.jpg


http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/block2_photos/pm4.jpg


http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/block2_photos/pm14.jpg


http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/block2_photos/pm6.jpg


http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr65/block2_photos/pm17.jpg


Evidently after mating, the female eats the male, so I would not like to be reincarnated as a male Prying Mantis..LOL.

Regards
Jeff & Wan

[laborelch]

cute! I had a pet mantis last year. They are amazing creatures!

[kaceyo]

There are an amazing number of types of Praying Mantises too. Some mimicking flowers and specific plants that are really beautiful.

[Disgirl]

Wonderful pictures! I had a baby Mantis in our yard last year, it was about 1/2" long and looked exactly like the adult. Very interesting bugs, but females do kill and eat the male I have heard.\
Barb

[Jennie]

I had one land on my head! not good, not good!

[wendy9722]

I had one land on my head! not good, not good!

Now thats funny!

[kaceyo]

I had one land on my head! not good, not good!
When the females eat the males they start by snipping off the head! (:-0}- You don't, by chance, resemble a male Mantis...do you? LOL!!! J/K hehehe. Sorry, I couldn't help it!

[brewmaster15]

Cool pics!

Well, the females may eat the male ( common to spiders also), but she herself usually is eaten by something shortly after laying eggs... Once she lays eggs she's pretty much done for...and has little time left....out there in the natural world..everything is eaten by something!

mantids are one of my favorite critters...

Heres some more pics..
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?83889-Really-BUGS-Me!!!

-al