Tenodera Sinensis "playing dead"?
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minomantis
Well-known member
That is one of their defense mechanisms. If they did that on the ground with sticks, grass, and dead leaves I'm almost certain you wouldn't find it. Lol.
When Chinese mantids are about L5 and younger they tend to be very skittish and startle quite easily. The next level of that defense mechanism is to frantically move to another place and stay still if being pursued. It's quite a fascinating behavior and sucks that the mantis has to be stressed to see it.
when mine would do that, I would just blow lightly on them and try to pick them up. Mantids feel more comfortable when things around them are moving before they move, (that's why they move in the wind) takes the attention off of them when something else is moving. Hope this helped! Good luck!
When Chinese mantids are about L5 and younger they tend to be very skittish and startle quite easily. The next level of that defense mechanism is to frantically move to another place and stay still if being pursued. It's quite a fascinating behavior and sucks that the mantis has to be stressed to see it.
when mine would do that, I would just blow lightly on them and try to pick them up. Mantids feel more comfortable when things around them are moving before they move, (that's why they move in the wind) takes the attention off of them when something else is moving. Hope this helped! Good luck!
I just call it the Superman pose. 
The adults in the wild will do it as a defense mechanism so they will be better camouflaged with the surrounding plant life, once they jump from their perch to hide in the thick underbrush/grass areas (from specimens I've caught it tends to be more males than females too). Perhaps your nymphs are doing it for the same reason.
The adults in the wild will do it as a defense mechanism so they will be better camouflaged with the surrounding plant life, once they jump from their perch to hide in the thick underbrush/grass areas (from specimens I've caught it tends to be more males than females too). Perhaps your nymphs are doing it for the same reason.Thank you both very much! The mystery is solved! Lol when I posted these pictures I noticed that this mantis maybe a male. Amazing that they "play possum" when frightened or unsure of their surrounds. They seem to be a it shaky on their legs for a while afterwards. I'm slowly trying to establish a trust and comfort zone with them. Thank you again! I'm learning their body language and this knowledge has help me a great deal.
It does fit though.LOL the Superman pose haha that's GREAT!
They will also do a wind dance (or if your a Trekkie you could call it a fan dance), where they will sway from side to side, and some will do it very quickly and for minutes at a time if they are really excited or happy. Funny that minomantis responded the exact same time I did, beating me by a few seconds.
Krissim Klaw
Well-known member
Superman, playing dead! Don't insult his acting skills, he is very clearly trying to be the best twig he can be. If he was playing dead he would be on his back and if he was going for Superman he would have tied a cape on first.
Oh that's simple the little nymph forgot to stop off at the phone booth first. Here is another shot afterwards....Superman, playing dead! Don't insult his acting skills, he is very clearly trying to be the best twig he can be. If he was playing dead he would be on his back and if he was going for Superman he would have tied a cape on first.
Krissim Klaw
Well-known member
And a new superhero was born. XDOh that's simple the little nymph forgot to stop off at the phone booth first. Here is another shot afterwards....
Sticky
Well-known member
I call it Playing Stick.
I laughed.Oh that's simple the little nymph forgot to stop off at the phone booth first. Here is another shot afterwards....
I've observed the behavior before too.
One of my orchids is doing a back flip and laying there , she is so weird.
Perhaps someone should do a comic or cartoon strip of the Supermantis adventures.
Glad to hear it.
HAHAHAHAHAHA that's AWESOME Cosbyart!!!Oh that's simple the little nymph forgot to stop off at the phone booth first. Here is another shot afterwards....
View attachment 7421
Thanks
Nothing fancy, just about 10 minutes in GIMP, I couldn't pass up the chance to do it. Zeppy44
Well-known member
This is great! Thanks for the info on dancing. And Bigger thanks for the belly laugh! :excl:
That is an awesome cartoon, I love it Cosbyart!!
I have had several Chinese mantis nymphs that have done this behavior for me. Sometimes when they are really small, say L2 or L3 or so, when I open a container to feed the little guy will drop to the ground with legs all stretched out front and against his body like a stick. It if very interesting when they do it. Definitely a defensive behavior. But they look like perfect little sticks. the first time I saw one do it I was concerned the little guy was dead. But then I found out he was only playing dead.
I have had several Chinese mantis nymphs that have done this behavior for me. Sometimes when they are really small, say L2 or L3 or so, when I open a container to feed the little guy will drop to the ground with legs all stretched out front and against his body like a stick. It if very interesting when they do it. Definitely a defensive behavior. But they look like perfect little sticks.
the first time I saw one do it I was concerned the little guy was dead. But then I found out he was only playing dead.
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Teamonger
Well-known member
Lmao! I also dubbed this the superman pose, I'm glad I'm not the only one. That picture is just the best hehe
My first Chinese Mantis did this when I offered him a grub one day. He was very not sure about this strange bug and as soon as it dared to touch him he was all "heck NO I'M A STICK! I'M A STICK!"
My first Chinese Mantis did this when I offered him a grub one day. He was very not sure about this strange bug and as soon as it dared to touch him he was all "heck NO I'M A STICK! I'M A STICK!"
No problem, Lol I had to make it.
Thanks.That is an awesome cartoon, I love it Cosbyart!!
I have had several Chinese mantis nymphs that have done this behavior for me. Sometimes when they are really small, say L2 or L3 or so, when I open a container to feed the little guy will drop to the ground with legs all stretched out front and against his body like a stick. It if very interesting when they do it. Definitely a defensive behavior. But they look like perfect little sticks.
Indeed it does seem to be primarily a young nymph defense, and by L5 all but stopped by many. The stick defense is even more uncommon but a funny sight to see too. Lol thanks. I thought the name was the most obvious to self explanation.
Besides the camouflage effect, it may also provide them with a quicker means to smack at danger depending on their muscle arrangement.
