Praying Mantis killing hummingbird

[Krug]

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/s...ngbirds/mantis-hummer.aspx?sc=birdwireJul2005

 

[reveal]

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/s...ngbirds/mantis-hummer.aspx?sc=birdwireJul2005

That's impressive!

 

[I'm A Banana]

Praying mantises are effing ninjas, man.

 

[der_kluge]

I watched a show on TV a while back which was footage of a praying mantis attacking a baby garden snake, though it was unsuccessful in its attempt, the show said that the praying mantis pretty much represented one of the few inter-species links in the food chain. That is, there aren't very many instances of insects attacking and killing higher species. I guess aside from spiders and scorpions killing people, I suppose. But then, they don't eat us.

 

[reveal]

I watched a show on TV a while back which was footage of a praying mantis attacking a baby garden snake, though it was unsuccessful in its attempt, the show said that the praying mantis pretty much represented one of the few inter-species links in the food chain. That is, there aren't very many instances of insects attacking and killing higher species. I guess aside from spiders and scorpions killing people, I suppose. But then, they don't eat us.

Spiders and scorpions usually attack higher species out of fear or defense. The praying mantis is just plain evil.

 

[Abstraction]

Suddenly, for the first time, I understand why some people wish to play thri-keen.

 

[Lady_Acoma]

Spiders and scorpions usually attack higher species out of fear or defense. The praying mantis is just plain evil.

Not evil, just hungry and willing to waste a whole lot more food then it is worth it to hunt down and kill...

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Not evil, just hungry and willing to waste a whole lot more food then it is worth it to hunt down and kill...

Is it waste? Or is it just showing the world don't f@#$ with me?

 

[Hand of Evil]

I have seem them do in lizards (small).

 

[Rel]

the show said that the praying mantis pretty much represented one of the few inter-species links in the food chain. That is, there aren't very many instances of insects attacking and killing higher species.

Really? Perhaps it is not the norm, but I can think of many, many examples of insects killing higher species. Large spiders routinely catch and eat small birds (hummingbird being a prime example) and I even found a bat carcas in one the other day. Several species of central american "Army Ants" will kill small mamals and reptiles (and any baby or injured birds unfortunate enough to be on the ground) in their path.

I recall being in Costa Rica and walking through the jungle when suddenly the ground around me was alive with small lizards and snakes and mice. I took a few more careful steps forward and there was a carpet of ants moving steadily in my direction. Those other critters were getting the hell out of the way and I followed suit in a hurry.