Praying Mantis Photos
There are approximately 2000 species of Praying Mantids in existence around the world. They are some of the most ferocious predators in the insect world. Some species of Mantid (also sometimes called Mantis) grow to about six inches in length. As odd and unbelievable as it might seem, the largest of these have been known to sometimes catch, kill and eat small rodents, birds, and snakes. Such events have been video recorded.

Praying Mantises are welcome insects in most flower gardens because they are effective predators - feeding on other insects that are garden pests. Praying Mantises are also often kept as pets in small terrariums. Some pet stores sell the "ootheca" - that is, the egg cases from which mantids hatch. These egg cases can hatch anywhere from about a dozen to several hundred mantids. Once born, the mantids are small versions of adults and begin hunting and preying on other insects immediately. As they grow, they undergo an "incomplete metamorphosis". That is, they do not go through a pupae or larval stage. However, they do periodically shed their shell-like skin, allowing them to grow larger.

Most of these Praying Mantis photos were taken in either mine or my neighbor's garden, i.e. in a natural habitat, not in a studio, where such photos could be carefully composed. Some of these photos were taken of a pet Praying Mantis.

As pets, Praying Mantises are quite interesting. They become accustomed to being with and being handled by humans and seem quite content to perch in one's palm or on one's shoulder. Some of their behaviors are akin to more conventional pets. For instance, they clean their legs and feet much like a cat does. They'll lick their legs and then sometimes rub them against their head. They are the only insects that can turn their head a full 180 degrees from left to right and up and down. They also seem quite inquisitive and rather intelligent. If you're interested in more information about Praying Mantises as pets, check the Exotic Pets website.

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Robert Stephens
TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery
P.O. Box 893
Sterling Heights, MI 48311


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All photographs are the property of Robert Stephens and TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited by US copyright law.