Praying Mantids - Growing Up

Biology
Praying Mantids - Growing Up
By Cynthia Kirkeby - Photos by Melissa Papke
Aug 11, 2006, 09:23 PST

The Papke's praying mantids are growing up. See how large they've grown and learn what happened when Brian put one on his hand.

The mantid babies have grown up quite a bit. They are not very hard to find any more.

This mantid actually takes a look at Brian and Melissa when they come near him.

Brian put one of the mantids on his hand and it immediately ran up his arm and onto his back! Eeek!

Brian was nonplussed and let it stand on his shoulder.

Close-up of the baby mantid standing on Brian's shoulder.

The mantid wasn't content with standing and his shoulder, and it climbed onto his neck. It gave him the shivers at this point.

Apparently the mantid thought Brians' hair might be a good place to hide. At this point Brian decided it was time to put him back. He raised his arm above his head and the mantid climbed up to his hand, at which point, Brian quickly slipped the mantid back onto his leaves in the bushes.