Rated X: Sexual Cannibalism!

The Praying Mantis gained its name from the long bent front legs which when held together looks like it is in a praying position. They have a triangular head, long neck and amazingly the mantis can turn its head 180 degrees which allows this insect to scan around.

The praying mantis is usually green or brown and can camouflage well on plants, trees and leaves. The mantis uses their front legs to capture their prey, and have fast refluxes which make it really difficult trying to witness the capturing of their prey.

The praying mantis eats moths, grass hoppers, crickets, flies and other small insects, and as famously known for, will eat their own kind. The female will eat her mate just after or during mating, and YET this does not turn off males from mating.

Researchers have discovered that the male thrust faster after it has been decapitated, and other scientists have found after the males head has been removed and eaten the body can continue to mate for up to eight hours!!!

It is believed that cannibalism during mating boosts female reproduction by 40%!!!