Praying Mantis

There are about 2,200 species of Praying Mantis worldwide. This insect is carnivorous and they prey from small insects to frog, snake and even birds. There are about 20 native mantids in the U.S. And Chinese Mantis and European Mantis were introduced around 1895 and 1899 separately as a source of pest control for farm and garden. An interesting fact is that Praying Mantis is the only insect can rotate its head  completely around and their binocular vision allows them to see as far as 50 feet so they can identify their prey before making an instant kill.

(This mantis is about 3/4 inch. Click image to enlarge)

Females normally cannibalize their mates after copulation.  The male Chinese Mantis will preform a special courtship dance to attract female from feeding to mating. I am wondering if the male mantis realizes he might get beheaded after pleasure, would he reconsider his move? Mantis is also an easy caring pet. They only need    one cricket every few days and drink mist from leaves. Unfortunately, their life span is about one year. -- Linda