The other day Oscar and I discovered a praying mantis in the garden. Oscar was fascinated with it, so that night when one flew into the bathroom I captured it and gave it to Oscar the next morning in a bottle.
Oscar spent the day watching his insect friend with interest. I borrowed a book from the library to learn a little more about them.
The best part was when we put a live moth into the bottle and watched the praying mantis catch it and eat it!
When it came to release it ~ it wasn't in a hurry to leave and explored the wilting sunflowers.
It made it's way onto Sadie's arm, then onto the top of her head and then it crawled onto her face! Personally I would of panicked, but she took it in her stride until we removed it.
Some interesting things we learnt about the praying mantis from this book.
1. Along with the two ovious large eyes, they also have three small eyes between it's antennae.
2. At night time their eyes turn a deep red.
3.They use their antennae to estimate the size of a possible meal.
4. The sharp spines on their legs help them to hold onto their pray.
5. They can live up to 7-8 months for a female and 6 months for a male.
6. and yes, the rumours are true. The females are known to eat the males after mating.
