hannu
Well-known member
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wi...is-caught-on-camera-eating-a-hummingbird.html
The predatory insect dangles from a plant while using its legs to overcome the helpless bird.
And the mantis, which is not much bigger than its prey, then gorges itself before releasing the lifeless body of its victim.
Richard Walkup, from West Chester in Pennsylvania, US, told how his quick-thinking son had captured the scene.
He said: "The other day while I was working in the yard my son urgently called to me, 'Dad, a praying mantis caught a hummingbird!'
"I came running to see for myself.
"By the time I arrived it was too late for the poor hummer and my scientifically minded son had already begun taking pictures and studying the scene."
He continued: "This hungry mantis captured and killed a hummingbird not much smaller than itself.
"The mantis used its spiny left foreleg to impale the hummingbird through the chest while leaving his right leg free.
"This was an unfortunate experience for the hummer, but we are amazed to realise how fast, precise, and powerful the mantis must be to accomplish such a feat."
Mantises are masters of camouflage, using protective colouring to blend in with the surrounding foliage to avoid other predators and stalk their victims without detection.
They normally eat other insects but larger species can prey on small lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, and even rodents.
The mantis order contains around 2,200 species in 9 families.
The predatory insect dangles from a plant while using its legs to overcome the helpless bird.
And the mantis, which is not much bigger than its prey, then gorges itself before releasing the lifeless body of its victim.
Richard Walkup, from West Chester in Pennsylvania, US, told how his quick-thinking son had captured the scene.
He said: "The other day while I was working in the yard my son urgently called to me, 'Dad, a praying mantis caught a hummingbird!'
"I came running to see for myself.
"By the time I arrived it was too late for the poor hummer and my scientifically minded son had already begun taking pictures and studying the scene."
He continued: "This hungry mantis captured and killed a hummingbird not much smaller than itself.
"The mantis used its spiny left foreleg to impale the hummingbird through the chest while leaving his right leg free.
"This was an unfortunate experience for the hummer, but we are amazed to realise how fast, precise, and powerful the mantis must be to accomplish such a feat."
Mantises are masters of camouflage, using protective colouring to blend in with the surrounding foliage to avoid other predators and stalk their victims without detection.
They normally eat other insects but larger species can prey on small lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, and even rodents.
The mantis order contains around 2,200 species in 9 families.
