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Mentadak

Tenodera aridifolia sinensis

Photo by RanAhim
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The morphology, or body plan, of a praying mantis is similar to that of many insects. It has six legs, two wings and two antennae. However, they have some special features which makes them unique among insects. First they are able to turn their head around like humans can. All other insects cannot turn their heads, their neck is too rigid to allow it. Furthermore praying mantids have modified front legs; these front legs are especially designed to catch prey and hold them tightly. These arms are very strong and equipped with pointy spikes to keep a firm hold on the prey.Some mantis species depend on good camouflage to prevent predators from eating them, while others keep a more simple look. Well camouflaged mantids have many projections on their body in the shape of dead leaves, branches, flower pentals or even moss. Their colors can vary from brown, to green, white, pink, yellow or a mix of all colors.

Habitat:

They are widely distributed throughout the tropical, sub tropical and warm temperate regions of the worlds. Many species of praying mantis are found in the North and South America, South Africa, Europe, the Southern parts of Asia and some parts of Australia.

Species ID Suggestions

Giant Dead Leaf Mantis

Deroplatys desiccata

Comments (2)

Consider making picture #4 the first picture. You can click on "edit this spotting" and then click and drag your pictures around. Also, please consider adding this spotting to the Mimetic animals mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8015991
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 9, 2012

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