Giant Dead Leaf Mantis Deroplatys desiccata

There are several species of (Praying) Mantis in the Deroplatys genus, all native to Asia, called "Dead Leaf" mantises because of their extraordinary camouflage to look like dead leaves.

When a Dead Leaf Mantis feels threatened, it has two strategies to choose. Like other mantises, it can raise itself up on 4 legs waving its heavy "forearms" and flashing the "eye" patterns on the underside of each wing. Alternatively, it can fall to the forest floor and play "dead", looking just like the other leaves.

The Giant Dead Leaf Mantis is native to Southeast Asia. It is some 7-12cm long. Females have 6 sections on their abdomen and males have 8. It is less cannibalistic than other mantises and in captivity can be kept with others of the same sex; a female might eat its mate during or after mating, like many mantises and spiders.