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Giuliana the Ghost Mantis Eating a delicious fly. Non-native,Phyllocrania paradoxa,captivity Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Giuliana the Ghost Mantis

Eating a delicious fly.

    comments (10)

  1. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Oh, wow, such a nice mimicry with a dry leaf or twig! Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Stuart's profile
      Stuart
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Absolutely, she's very keen to stick to the dark bark on the log to blend in. She seems restless if she is on a surface that she contrasts with. Makes sense I suppose! Posted 6 years ago
      1. View Patomarazul's profile
        Patomarazul
        Lion
        View Lion class
        It must be mesmerizing to observe how she catches prey! how long do they survive? Posted 6 years ago
        1. View Stuart's profile
          Stuart
          Lion
          View Lion class
          Absolutely! Especially the ambush predators like her and the orchid mantis. Sitting.... Waiting... Then suddenly *BAM!* The fly didn't see it coming. It varies on species and of course if they are in the wild or captivity. I think it's 6-12 months for this species but I would need to confirm that. Posted 6 years ago
          1. View Patomarazul's profile
            Patomarazul
            Lion
            View Lion class
            Wow, they can live long, compared to other insects! I would be sad to see her go if I raised her but it must be really interesting to follow up their live and behaviors. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
            1. View Stuart's profile
              Stuart
              Lion
              View Lion class
              Very much so, they have their own personalities and actually seem to be able to recognise different people. They are fascinating, unfortunately due to unscrupulous sellers of these beautiful creatures, some species are in decline as the sellers hunt and sell wild ootheca, diminishing the wild population just to make money. The seller I use is highly responsible and ethical, in fact if you don't pass the 'how to care for a mantis' test, she won't sell a mantis to you. She's fantastic! Posted 6 years ago
              1. View Patomarazul's profile
                Patomarazul
                Lion
                View Lion class
                Amazing, they must have such good eyesight! And can your seller also breed them or is that too difficult? I imagine that with the male's often sad ending it may not be easy task :-/ Posted 6 years ago
  3. View Stuart's profile
    Stuart
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Yes she does breed them, I believe she is extremely careful to remove the male as soon as his job is done to minimise the risk of him becoming lunch ;) Posted 6 years ago
  4. View Jivko Nakev's profile
    Jivko Nakev
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Amazing! Posted 6 years ago
  5. View Darryl Lane's profile
    Darryl Lane
    Musk Oxen
    View Musk Oxen class
    Wow! beautiful beast! Posted 6 years ago

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The Ghost mantis

''Phyllocrania paradoxa'', common name ghost mantis, is a small species of mantis from Africa remarkable for its leaf-like body. It is one of the three species in the genus ''Phyllocrania''. It is known for its distinct and exclusive camouflaged appearance of a dry weathered leaf.

Info 3 1
Similar species: Mantises
Species identified by Stuart
View Stuart's profile

By Stuart

All rights reserved
Uploaded Oct 18, 2018. Captured Oct 18, 2018 16:50.
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  • Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
  • f/14.0
  • 1/197s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm

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