The animal, Cliomantis cornuta, is an amazing animal to learn about! They have many interesting facts about them that you may not know. A common name for the order is "praying mantises". The name comes from the Greek words, meaning a prophet. The location of this order is in the southern parts of the world.The purpose of this is, that the general description, the habitat, feeding habits, and predators!

First, theres the general description.The general size of Cliomantis cornuta is 0.5-6 inches.Their size can be relative to a tea cup! The coloration of this animal is brown, yellow, and sometimes green. They can hide camouflaged in plants.They have triangular heads poised on a long elongated thorax.They have amazing abilities to hide and be camouflaged in plants so stay away from predators eating them.

The order, Cliomantis cornuta is found all over the place!They are found in the southern parts of the world.There are approximately 2,200 species, but is under threat from habitat destruction.There is a long standing American urban legend that killing a praying mantis is illegal and subject to a fine.The animal can be found in alot of places.

Cliomantis cornuta has alot of diets!They are carnivors and they eat whatever they can find and put their hands on them. They eat by using their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.Sometimes they can eat lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, fish, and even rodents. Cliomantis cornuta prevents themselves from getting eaten by blending in with the plants or wherever they are.Cliomantis cornuta in a carvivore that can eat anything!

Cliomantis cornuta can do amazing things with camouflage, to hunting prey, and their reflexes! What really stood out was how they would catch prey and what they would eat if they caught it. I really think the animal, Cliomantis cornuta is a really interesting bug.

Author: Siera L.
Date Published: 3/13

Bibliography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliomantis_cornuta
Picture credit:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/Myrmecomantis_atra_Genera_Insectorum.jpg/220px-Myrmecomantis_atra_Genera_Insectorum.jpg