Gross, but really cool...

Gross, but really cool... (post #11497)

Biscuit on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 18:09

The Gazebo

Hey, all! I usually don't post anything but questions (G), but I thought you all might find this as cool as my son and I did.

My son is 6 and has to do a project in school on a bug, so he picked the praying mantis (his favorite). While doing research on mantids (and yes, that's with a "d", it's correct, trust me - (G)) predatory habits and preferred foods, we found this:

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyardbirds/hummingbirds/mantis-hummer.aspx

Really gross, and sad, if you love humming birds, but also - WOW! So cool! I had no idea that praying mantis could hunt and eat a humming bird! Isn't that amazing???

I swear, my son has just been a huge blessing to my education (G). I would never know or learn all these cool things if not for him!

If you're afraid of butter - use cream. Julia Child

"When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty." - George Bernard Shaw

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by annieqst in reply to Biscuit [original] on Sat, 10/27/2007 - 16:27

Whoa! That's amazing. Glad I haven't seen it in action though!

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by belinda in reply to Biscuit [original] on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 00:31

Gross, but cool, just about sizes it up. Did you know that the praying mantis can hiss just like a cat? I was coming out of the back porch one day and startled a mantid (is that correct?) who was on the brick near the door, he reared back and hissed at me, which in turn, startled me and I ran back inside! Tell me, what would you do if some living thing, which was about 300 times your size came barreling towards you? Is the hiss a yell or a warning?

May I a small house and large garden have! And a few friends, and many books, both true, both wise, and both delightful too!

ABRAHAM COWLEY, "The Wish," II. 10-12 (1668)

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by Lunaria in reply to Anonymous [original] on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 02:28

I'm sure it was a warning. These insects are aggressive predators, so ferocity is probably a natural inclinication. Makes me remember how much my blind brother enjoyed bugs....I had forgotten. We caught all sorts of summer insects to show him, including the dangerous stag beetle who had some serious pinchers. My two brothers also embarrassed their older sister by visiting street lights on summer nights to capture anything in flight there to feed to the pet turtles. The turtles were put into a screened box and the bugs released inside. Pat/Lunaria

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by Catskill Deb in reply to Anonymous [original] on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 03:51

I stopped one time at a plant nursery on my way home from work, and loaded up a few sale selections. Driving home with the plants on the floor behind my seat, I was startled to look in the rear view mirror and see a praying mantis standing on the back of the seat. He was waving his arms around and looked pretty pissed off. I didn't hear any hissing, but almost drove into the ditch anyway!

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by belinda in reply to Anonymous [original] on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 06:34

That's too funny.

May I a small house and large garden have! And a few friends, and many books, both true, both wise, and both delightful too!

ABRAHAM COWLEY, "The Wish," II. 10-12 (1668)

Gross, but really cool...