Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand, Dr. PM Dhakate, IFS, who often posts about nature and wildlife on X, has this time shared a video of a dead leaf mantis. Dead leaf mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis that mimic dead leaves. They are known for their camouflage behaviour towards humans or other animals.
In the video shared by the senior IFS officer, a dead leaf mantis is seen mimicking menacing teeth with spiny legs to scare away something or someone it has perceived as an intruder and a risk.
Nature never fails to amaze and even startle, and this is just one small example. Dr Dhakate also echoed similar thoughts when he wrote, “Nature’s camouflage at its finest!”, while sharing the video on X.
Watch it to get a close look at a dead leaf mantis.
Dead leaf mantises master Deimatic Behavior: a deceptive display to startle predators, buying time to escape. They mimic menacing teeth with spiny legs. Nature's camouflage at its finest! 🌿
— Dr. PM Dhakate (@paragenetics) October 24, 2023
Video: SM pic.twitter.com/NY934HUfkz
