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This
truly bizarre looking creature is commonly known as
either the WANDERING VIOLIN
or INDIAN
ROSE MANTIS. It originates in southern
India and Sri Lanka and is one of the most unusual
looking species of praying mantis in the world!
This one is not yet fully grown and could reach
around 11cm in length.

The
strangest feature of its body has to be the
exceptionally long, thin 'neck', or thorax as it is
correctly named, which looks like it is far too thin and
weak to support the rest of its body!

Despite this feature,
however, this is a very tough and strong mantis with
powerful front legs as can be seen in this picture
below! They use the very sharp spines on these
legs to catch their food, which consists mainly of flying insects,
and
once captured the legs close around them and all the
spines prevent the insects from having any chance of
escape! This is one of my favourite species of
insect in the world and it is fantastic to be
keeping them and watching their interesting
behaviours.


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