The Egyptian praying mantis is a fascinating insect that lives in the savannas of Africa. These areas are covered with grass that can change color from brown to green after it rains. The mantis has an amazing ability to blend in with its surroundings, which helps it hide from predators and sneak up on its prey.
Researchers have noticed something really cool about these mantises: when the grass is green, the mantises are green, and when the grass turns brown, the mantises turn brown too. This color change isn’t as quick as the color-changing abilities of octopuses or chameleons, which can change colors rapidly using special cells in their skin. Instead, the mantis changes color when it molts, which is when it sheds its old skin to grow a new one.
The color change in mantises is influenced by the humidity, or the amount of moisture in the air. When the air is dry, the mantis nymphs (young mantises) turn brown during their next molt. If the air is humid, they become green. This clever adaptation helps them stay camouflaged in their environment.
Some mantis species in Africa have an even more impressive trick up their sleeves. At the end of the dry season, they can change from green to black. This is called fire melanism. It helps them survive in the changing environment by blending in with the darker surroundings.
The ability to change color is a superpower that helps the praying mantis survive in the wild. By blending in with their environment, they can avoid being eaten by predators and can also catch their prey more easily. This amazing adaptation shows just how clever and resourceful nature can be!
Imagine you are a praying mantis living in the savannas of Africa. Use colored pencils or paints to create a picture of yourself blending into your environment. Think about how the colors of the grass change with the seasons and how you would adapt. Share your artwork with the class and explain your color choices.
In groups, act out the life of a praying mantis. One student can be the mantis, while others can be predators or prey. Use props or costumes to show how the mantis blends into its environment. Discuss how the mantis’s color-changing ability helps it survive.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand how humidity affects color change. Use paper or fabric that changes color when wet. Observe how the color changes with different levels of moisture. Relate this to how the mantis changes color with humidity.
Research other animals that can change color, like chameleons or octopuses. Create a short presentation or poster about how these animals change color and why. Compare their abilities to the praying mantis and discuss the differences and similarities.
Write a short story from the perspective of a praying mantis. Describe a day in its life, focusing on how it uses its color-changing ability to survive. Include challenges it faces and how it overcomes them. Share your story with the class.
The Egyptian praying mantis lives in the savannas of Africa, where it blends in with the grass. The grass can change from brown to green within a few days after rain. Researchers have observed that when the grass is green, the mantids are green, and when the grass is brown, the mantids are brown. Unlike octopuses or chameleons, which can change color rapidly due to hormones or neurons, mantids cannot change color in the same way. However, they can change color during molting, which is influenced by the relative humidity in their environment. When the humidity is low, the nymphs become brown at the next molt, while high humidity leads to a green coloration. Some species of mantids in Africa can even change from green to black at the end of the dry season, a phenomenon known as fire melanism.
Mantis – A type of insect known for its long body and front legs that are adapted for catching prey. – The mantis stayed perfectly still, waiting for an unsuspecting insect to come close enough to catch.
Color – The property of an object that is perceived by the eyes based on the way it reflects or emits light. – The bright green color of the frog helps it blend in with the leaves in its environment.
Change – The process of becoming different, which can occur in living organisms or their surroundings. – The leaves change color in the fall as the trees prepare for winter.
Camouflage – A method of blending in with the surroundings to avoid being seen by predators or prey. – The chameleon’s ability to change its skin color is a form of camouflage that helps it hide from predators.
Environment – The natural world or ecosystem in which a plant or animal lives. – The rainforest environment is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
Humidity – The amount of moisture in the air, which can affect living organisms and their habitats. – High humidity in the rainforest helps support the growth of lush vegetation.
Predators – Animals that hunt and eat other animals for food. – Lions are predators that often hunt in groups to catch their prey.
Prey – Animals that are hunted and eaten by other animals. – The rabbit is a common prey for foxes and other carnivores.
Adaptation – A change in a plant or animal that makes it better suited to its environment. – The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation that helps them stay warm in the Arctic climate.
Savannas – Grasslands with scattered trees, found in tropical and subtropical regions. – The African savannas are home to many animals, including elephants and giraffes.
