How big can a Praying Mantis get??

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funboy6942

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
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Years and years ago my brother and I were coming out of the mall late to go to my car. The mall was next to a huge field. When we were walking up we saw what looked to be the bigest Praying Mantis I have ever seen. It stood (no joke) atleast a foot high. Had thoes huge front arms and when I got closer it would follow my every move. I got about 6 feet from it when it scared me when I moved to the right it followed, I went left it followed. It looked really as if it was thinking how to take me down! My brother and I were thinking of catching it but when it started do that crazy stuff we decided to let it be. But for the many years to pass I often wondered if it was indeed a Praying Mantis.
I ask this question because of the thread with the huge grasshopper made me think of it again.
So anyone know how big thoes things can get??
 
SaltBoy

SaltBoy

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2001
8,975
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I watched a Discover Channel documentary on Praying Mantises a while back - they can get up to 8 inches, if not longer.
 
H

hevnsnt

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
10,868
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I think I saw a movie once where one was as big as king kong.

But I think it is rare, and only happens in Japan.
 
T

TheShiz

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,846
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a foot, wow, i'm trying to find some pictures of big ones but can't find any good ones. a nice pic with a person and a 12 inch mantis would be great.
 
S

ScottMac

Moderator<br>Networking<br>Elite member
Mar 19, 2001
5,471
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I order praying mantis egg cases every year for bug control. The largest I've seen them grow by the end of the season is ~5-6 inches.

www.planetnatural.com

I don't thenk any of the North American varieties get much larger then that. Females grow to a larger size than the males.

FWIW

Scott

 
funboy6942

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
126
That first one is P choped. Look closely at the shadow under it not hitting the grass or the fact the front leg is on his shoe and the rest are kinda floating around.
Last one however looks right I suppose.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: azazyel
Originally posted by: funboy6942
That first one is P choped. Look closely at the shadow under it not hitting the grass or the fact the front leg is on his shoe and the rest are kinda floating around.
Last one however looks right I suppose.
Click to expand...

Your right, here is the source pic..

http://orbital.encapsule.com/~...les/praying_mantis.jpg
Click to expand...
I like how the praying mantis throws a wood-grain shadow in the first one.
 
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