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This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) - Science/Technology - Nairaland

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This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Nobody: 6:55pm On Jan 03, 2021
Named for its prominent front legs that fold together in a gesture suggesting devotion, the praying mantis comes off as serene and soulful. You might think of them as docile things, moving about slowly, nibbling on orchids ... but oh, how looks deceive. The truth is, mantises are ambush predators with lightning-fast moves.

With their long necks, upright posture, distinct faces, and direct gaze, they’re decidedly charismatic (or terrifying). But more than that, they are fascinating creatures that have mastered their place in the natural world. About 2,000 known mantis species exist around the world, exhibiting a wide and awe-inspiring array of adaptations to their environments. For a few examples, consider the following facts about these incredible insects.

1. They Have Great Vision

www.nairaland.com/attachments/12933034_mantisfacecloseup01f3384cbd993d475294a2a29a2d335238_webpce7658dc8b19540dbf184b9ced3c1c7e

Praying mantises possess stereo vision, and thanks to the placement of their eyes, they also have a wide field of vision. Each of their eyes has a fovea — a concentrated area of photoreceptor cells that lets them focus and track with acuity. And not only can mantises see in 3-D, but research has found their 3-D vision works differently

2. They Are Head Turners

Mantises are the only insects capable of turning their heads from side to side. Being able to turn its head without moving the rest of its body is a key advantage for a mantis when hunting, allowing for minimal movement as it sneaks up on prey.

3. They Are Agile Like Cats

To the surprise of scientists filming them, mantises have been found to jump with extreme precision, contorting their body midair to land on a precarious and specific target.

4. They Make Swift Work of Their Prey

Praying mantises wait to ambush or patiently stalk their prey, but once they’re ready to strike, they do so with lightning speed, attacking with those big front legs so quickly it’s hard to see with the naked eye. In addition, they have spikes on their legs to skewer and pin the victims into place.

5. They Are Masters of Disguise

www.nairaland.com/attachments/12933035_orchidmantis01cd0c90921d714758b4f9e2d8faf985dc_webp1b491f26d08b5de28089877d2b29a330

Praying mantises are supremely gifted in camouflage. They come in the form of leaves and sticks and branches, like many insects, but also take it a bit further. Some mantises molt at the end of a dry season to become black, conveniently timing their transformation to coincide with the blackened landscape left by brush fires. The flower mantises are amazing — some wildly ornate, others looking so convincing that unsuspecting insects come to collect nectar from them ... and become dinner.

6. They Are Ambitious Predators

Mantises don’t stop at eating insects. They also target other arthropods like spiders, and sometimes even small vertebrate animals. Some mantises are known to prey on birds frogs, lizards, even snakes

7. They Battle with Bats

Praying mantises are also preyed upon by bats, but they are no easy victim. They can detect the bats’ echolocation sounds and when they are approached, they dive to the ground, often executing spirals and loops on their way. If caught, they try to slash their way to freedom by use of their big spiky front legs.

8. They Were Once Thought to Have Special Powers

Well, obviously they have special powers. In some early civilizations like ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, and Assyria, however, people considered praying mantises to have supernatural powers. (The mantis part of the name comes from the Greek for prophet.)

9. They Engage in Risky Sex

Praying mantis mothers lay an especially large bunch of eggs, which means they need a lot of food. Which means, unfortunately for their mates, they may literally bite off their head and devour them. And they may even do this during the course of their three-hour mating session. A little bit of coital cannibalism may also add to the success of the copulation. Hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do ...


Source: https://www.treehugger.com/wondrous-facts-about-praying-mantises-4858807

Watch Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMMKiLpgZKw

61 Likes 16 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Oluwasaeon(m): 7:02pm On Jan 03, 2021
Nawa o. Who would have thought

71 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Nobody: 7:13pm On Jan 03, 2021
Wow.. . So this insect is this voracious? See how it pinned and killed that rat.

I remember this thing those days. We called it "boxing" because it's always posed like a boxer.

153 Likes 10 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by ehbellsho(m): 7:15pm On Jan 03, 2021
Wonderful

1 Like

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by BeeBeeOoh(m): 7:15pm On Jan 03, 2021
shocked shocked

So, you mean this common, ordinary, simple praying mantises dey do all these things wey you just post??




Nawa oh! Imagine, common Osu Ökpö??

395 Likes 18 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by janedonez(m): 7:17pm On Jan 03, 2021
Educative, God endowed every of his creatures with survival and adaptive modes

18 Likes 4 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by BeeBeeOoh(m): 7:24pm On Jan 03, 2021
9. They Engage in Risky Sex

Praying mantis mothers lay an especially large bunch of eggs, which means they need a lot of food. Which means, unfortunately for their mates, they may literally bite off their head and devour them. And they may even do this during the course of their three-hour mating session. A little bit of coital cannibalism may also add to the success of the copulation.
Wahala don finally change gear for male praying mantises

69 Likes 3 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by CandyOps(m): 7:34pm On Jan 03, 2021
Omo that Praying Mantis na original skull miner

190 Likes 4 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by iamyemiakins(m): 7:42pm On Jan 03, 2021
So, boxer get craze for head like this

48 Likes 4 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Nobody: 7:44pm On Jan 03, 2021
grin
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Nairalandwizerd(m): 7:52pm On Jan 03, 2021
CandyOps:
Omo that Praying Mantis na original skull miner
see your mouth like OBO ademakin.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Slynation(m): 7:58pm On Jan 03, 2021
I used to underrate this creature until I saw a giant praying mantis...Then I knew I have been seeing the babies all this while

93 Likes 2 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by merieam16(f): 8:03pm On Jan 03, 2021
Intresting...
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Twoclans(f): 8:05pm On Jan 03, 2021
To imagine that the female could slice off the head of a male mantise while mating grin. BDSM gone wrong.

144 Likes 3 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Mujinho4b(m): 8:07pm On Jan 03, 2021
Damn. This video is Educative.. I never imagined a Mantis to be this predative.

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by rowland545(m): 8:14pm On Jan 03, 2021
Never thought I will see a day were men will run away from sex.


Wahala for male prey mantis way go day do relationship wit sex cheesy

44 Likes 3 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by useIess2020: 8:26pm On Jan 03, 2021
CandyOps:
Omo that Praying Mantis na original skull miner
omo the last pics just weak me

1 Like

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by ClassicMan202(m): 8:32pm On Jan 03, 2021
Ok
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by gentleman82: 8:44pm On Jan 03, 2021
praying matis fit kill snake, hmmm big snakes will say him never jam, maybe killing lil baby snakes. Lala come and and confirm this

1 Like 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Generalwoodz(m): 8:49pm On Jan 03, 2021
Snakes stilk the boss
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Karlifate: 9:00pm On Jan 03, 2021
Why snakes no go fear... Praying Mantis wey dey always do like Kungfu master.

Mantis Po in Kung fu Panda comes to mind

74 Likes 3 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by ekesoft(m): 9:01pm On Jan 03, 2021
alot of uniqueness in creation


THAT'S BY THE WAY SHA


ALL 3D CREATOR SHOULD PLEASE CHECK THE THREAD BELOW
https://www.nairaland.com/6343899/3d-blender-modelling-tutorials-early

1 Like

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Uyi168: 9:05pm On Jan 03, 2021
I've watched a YouTube video on this...
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by engrchykae(m): 9:11pm On Jan 03, 2021
Generalwoodz:
Snakes stilk the boss
honey badger says Hi

46 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Teena18(f): 9:12pm On Jan 03, 2021
Karlifate:
Why snakes no go fear... Praying Mantis wey dey always do like Kungfu master.

Mantis Po in Kung fu Panda comes to mind

Lol, now it makes sense that Mantis is amongst the *furious five*......I have always wondered

26 Likes 2 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by jchioma: 9:29pm On Jan 03, 2021
Na wah for Mantis wey de pray o!

What a phenomena animal. To think it can even kill a rat or snake, however small, is a mystery.

17 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by luminouz(m): 9:35pm On Jan 03, 2021
So why are snakes now afraid of them? undecided

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by mumumugu(m): 10:02pm On Jan 03, 2021
They kneel down to pray

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by blueflowers(f): 10:34pm On Jan 03, 2021
This is a mystery
Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by soundOsonic: 10:40pm On Jan 03, 2021
The snake versus the Mantis
One day in the animal kingdom, king Lion hosted a wrestling competition just right after the race competition between the box tortoise and the brown hare. Everyone cheered the tortoise for its slow but steady movement, then came the main event which everyone had been waiting for the praying mantis and the snake.
Well it was a death match between these two local folks; as both were about tearing each other apart due to just a silly argument on whose camouflage is the best. The green snake refused to agree even though it was evident the praying mantis was the leading camouflage animal.
The Lion thought why not settle your dispute at the festival of the kings. Mr. Harmattandust the pig snorts while dishing out odds for the death match, well the odds were on the green snake favor to win. Miss Elephanton, big brother croc, and pastor chimp were the few animals who placed their bet on the mantis.
The snake moved its head left and then to the right, and back to the left repeating such subtle pattern as he got closer to the mantis. The mantis positioned a stance with its forward legs up and puff itself just to appear big and intimidating. But the serpent didn't buy such lie it jumped and made its first strike at the mantis.
The mantis luckily escaped the fangs of the serpent (the green snake nick name) and made a comeback attack with a lightening strike as the serpent was trying to regain its balance to get a second strike; unluckily within the twinkling of its reptilian eyes, it found itself choking in the spiky arms of the Mantis.
Despite the fact the mantis locked his arm (fore legs) around the serpent head, the serpent still struggled to free itself but all seemed abortive, the serpent calm itself after all no one can strangle a snake, as it has no neck.
The cheering of the crowd metamorphos into silence as the unthinkable happened, the mantis started feasting on the live serpent. The serpent yelled and cried in sorrow as it hit its tail continuously on the ground, to pass a message of submission but there was no referee, no rules, it is to the death.
The crowd again started cheering to the gore happenings in front of them as the mantis had eaten up the eye of the serpent and had already gotten to the left side of the brain . The mantis had had its full, he unlocked its grip and looked at the ever cheering crowd while shouting like a viking after slaughtering the fvcking Saxons.
The Lion smiled in approval as it was crowned king of the insects. Later that evening the Mantis would go and bath in the blood of the dead snake and forever live as a red mantis, no need for hiding. It is only the weak that camouflage

85 Likes 8 Shares

Re: This Is Why Snakes Are Afraid Of Praying Mantises (Graphic Photos, Video) by Dayoebe(m): 11:19pm On Jan 03, 2021
Even the one in KungFu panda can kill Lala's snake
They look so fragile and innocent

8 Likes 3 Shares

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