Amazing Leaf-Mimicking Praying Mantis in Costa Rica

[sallybeth23]

I have seen praying mantis in Europe on many occasions and they are significantly different in shape to this beautiful, extraordinary being that is the Leaf Mimicking Praying Mantis.
I found this particular one in my bedroom last night. Just after turning the light off to go to sleep I started hearing something akin to a rolled up ball of paper being kicked against the wall.

On investigation I found this amazing creature, hunting other smaller insects that had collected earlier in the light of my bedside lamp. When it flew against the wall its body sounded like it was made of big dry leaves.

The big front legs have sharp teeth with which he impales his victims. I knew I was not going to be able to sleep through his antics so I carefully picked him up in a fine cloth and put him outside.

These were taken using my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

Namaste

Do not seek love. Be Love.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Comments

[numanahmed]

excellent animals photography. i love your post. dear @sallybeth23

[numanahmed]

thank so much dear

[bigmike420]

you can't really notice if you wouldn't look closely. amazing defense mechanism.

[sibbir]

i like your post,,,,very nice photograph,,,my dear @sallybeth,

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[sibbir]

thanks to D: i always with you

[future24]

Amazing photo & Steem On @sallybeth23!

[quinneaker]

WHAT??

Never seen that before!

[sallybeth23]

It was my first time too, so much character!

[rozipasee]

very beautiful friend, I like your post

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[yassinof]

amazing shots dear as ususal love thiss work. have a great time

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[afrinsultana]

hey..natural..but so nice..

[aveshnaik007]

This thing i saw here too. I wonder how their back looks like a leave. Are they born from leaves ?

[cpol]

It looks so scary! It's awesome! But probably, a very gentle and harmless forest dweller. Thank you for sharing @sallybeth23!

[sallybeth23]

I have a lot of respect for them. yes a little scary

[heart0048]

What a photography. Such an amazing Leaf-Mimicking.... You just superb....

[sallybeth23]

nice to see you

[ismuhadi]

Very good post I like

[fikar22]

It is very cool @sallybeth23

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[fikar22]

Yes, may I ask

[fauzanhaikal]

Good photography

[mmasim]

There are so many praying mantis in our area and mostly the kids call it "Old man" and the normal people call it "Grasshopper".

[sallybeth23]

that is interesting, thanks I never heard it called that before

[jasonmunapasee]

this grasshopper leaves, very beautiful,

[sweetnaomi05]

Oh this is really amazing. I never saw like this praying mantis before. This is very different from the praying mantis here.

[sallybeth23]

thank you, yes I never saw one like this until today either.

[motordrive]

That's amazing camouflage - it has the right shape, not just color!

[sallybeth23]

indeed its amazingly leaf life

[doctoryak]

Very interesting creatures - particularly their mating practices!

Thanks for a great post.

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[denver86]

Wowww is tha a mantis? It is amazing the body is look like a leaf..

[sallybeth23]

yes it is a leaf shaped mantis

[alimuddin]

omg, what a beautiful animalphotography my dear friend @sallybeth23 thank you for share
Really this costa rica is awesome

[sallybeth23]

thanks Ali

[sabbirahmedd]

awesome photography dear and very beautiful nature

[sallybeth23]

thanks very much

[leslierevales]

he's beautiful but I got the chill of watching his upper head :D I really loved those tiny color brown praying mantis :)

[msena]

such a amazing photography.

[treeplanter]

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[tanjina]

awesome animalphotography dear friend, thank you for sharing with us

[daverdp]

nice clicks...

https://steemit.com/animalphotography/@daverdp/cobra-vs-mongoose-fight-at-yala-national-park-sri-lanka-untelented-photography#comments

please visit here too

[masuma]

Wow excellent photography... your every post is creative and original work .... restimed @sallybeth

[sallybeth23]

thank you Kindly

[archeothot]

leaf mimicry is stupefying!
Here we have them on summer, they are much finer.

[sallybeth23]

thanks , that is great you see them too, such majestic creatures always.

[photocontests3]

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[appreciator]

This post has received gratitude of 4.97 % from @appreciator thanks to: @sallybeth23.

[naim1]

I will play with Grasshopper.

[sallybeth23]

thank you

[putroe.ijoe]

wow.. beautiful