Page 201 - An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK)

Praying mantis

A female mantis will eat a male if she gets the chance.

It gives her extra energy to lay eggs.

A
praying mantis sits as still as a statue, with its front legs

together. It looks as if it is praying, but really, it is waiting to
prey on other insects. Its huge, curved claws are powerful weapons.

In the blink of an eye, out they flick to grab any food in
range. The mantis grips its victim using spikes as sharp

as needles, then eats it alive. Amazing eyesight makes
mantises extra-deadly. They are the only insects to

see in 3-D like we do.

Many mantises are disguised to keep them safe
from hungry predators. However, some mantises
have a clever trick. If alarmed, they raise their arms

and flash their colorful wings to warn attackers away.

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