Strange Looking Mantis...!

Mother Nature sure has some scary looking creatures in our world and NO, I don't mean your neighbor next door!

Take this bad boy, for instance. If I saw it raised up to full height, I would probably run the other way. This rascal is just downright evil looking.

Devil’s Flower Mantis

Idolomantis Diabolica

One of the largest types of praying mantis, the Devil’s Flower Mantis is also one of the strangest. And that’s saying a lot when you’re talking about praying mantids. Females of the species can measure up to 5 inches (13 cm) long, and have developed a range of natural coloring that allows them to mimic the Devil’s Flower, a type of orchid.

Mantids are predators, and their hunting style usually involves sitting motionless until their prey comes within reach, and then whipping their forearms out at lightning speed to snag flies, beetles, even, in some cases, birds. The Devil’s Flower Mantis uses color patterns that mimic a flower to actually lure its prey within reach.

Say what you will, but in my eyes this guy is way beyond scary!

Coffee in the kitchen again this morning!