Carolina Mantis

Description:

About 5-6 inches in length.

Habitat:

Temperate zone, in a black oak tree. 74 degrees Farenheit. Sunny.

Notes:

The mantodea was initially on a hummingbird feeder - while there, the hummingbirds avoided the feeder and the mantis. The hummingbirds would approach the feeder, hover in a stationary position, take note of the mantodea then fly away. Exoskeleton was brilliantly camouflaged against tree bark. Quickly and efficiently climbed on the plastic feeder, leaves and limbs of the tree. Mantodea was very alert - followed camera movements. Began climbing away as the camera was taken closer and it avoided the lens. Photographed between 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.