The praying mantis, also known as the mamboretá, is one of the most intriguing insects in the world. Its trademark is predation, and in that object the way it eats its prey, which in some cases can also be birds. They have a rather gruesome method of devouring their catch: start with the head and feed on their brains first.
Nature, wise, gave them saw-shaped legs and very strong jaws so that the moment of attack is difficult for their enemies to disable. This is the secret: the initial take.
They feed on other insects as well as on larger animals -those who ride- such as frogs, lizards, salamanders, newts, shrews, mice, snakes, small soft-shelled turtles, and even bats. Attacks on large birds have also been documented, which they end up defeating and eating for long periods of time.
In this video from the YouTube channel InsecthausTV, which already has almost 3,500,000 plays and can be considered a viral classic of the networks, shows the attack on a lobster in a laboratory capsule. It’s a three-minute timelapse, which sums up the actual three hours it takes place the mantis eats the lobster.
The last seconds are in real time and the mantis is seen with the full stomach showing as contractions or heartbeats produced by ingestion.
The abdomen of the mantis -commonly called santateresa, mamboretá, campamocha or tatadiós—Consists of most species of 11 segments and contains the main viscera. Thus, the digestive system comprises a digestive tract with a glandular stomach, which allows it to receive quantities of food that can double its size.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.