Praying Mantises

by Michael C.

Praying mantises are methodical predators they devour their prey, head first, bit by bit until little remains. Their victtims mainly are other arthropods, although some larger species have been known to tackle humming birds and mice.

It is not unusual for the female to ceremonioisly decapitate the male before or during copulation. That means she bites off his head when they mate.

Strangely, following the loss of his head the male proceeds ; if the male does not approach the female with caution, she devours him before he can make any advances.