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Wildlife photographer Pang Way shoots a lot from up close. Mostly, little critters that don't normally catch our attention and that are so small, we walk right past them without even noticing them.

A big and important part of Way's work is mantises or praying mantises like people like to call them. They got this name for their prominent front legs, which are bent and held together at an angle that suggests the position of prayer.

But regardless of what you call them, these insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long "neck" or elongated thorax. Mantises can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan the area with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.

Typically green or brown and well camouflaged in their surroundings, mantises lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to spot with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.

Few photographers have portrayed just how stunning these little berserk fellas are. And Way is one of them. Continue scrolling and enjoy these fascinating pics.

More info: Instagram

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A.M. Pierre
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love learning about animals and nature, so it isn't often that I can say, "There's something I haven't seen before." That having been said... There's something I haven't seen before! And it's awesome!

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It's usually the moths, crickets, grasshoppers, and flies who receive unwanted mantid attention. However, these brutal insects will also eat others of their own kind. What really stands out is the mating behavior of the adult female, who sometimes eats her mate just after—or even during—mating. In their defense, however, this 'fetish' seems not to deter males from participating in reproduction.

I mean, maybe it's a sacrifice they make willingly. A 2016 study found that when female Chinese mantises consume their mates, they acquire important amino acids that are then incorporated into the eggs they lay, appearing to lay twice as many eggs after cannibalizing a male than they normally would.

So while the male would probably like to live and mate with multiple females, at least his death is not in vain; his nutrients give his DNA an elevated chance of getting passed on to the next generation.

As for humans, we shouldn't be afraid of their saw-like arms and alien eyes; they pose no threat to those who aren't insects, geckos, or hummingbirds. 

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Tracey Tait
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know Crane style and will use a illegal kick to the face, watch yo'self!

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"I got into wildlife photography out of curiosity," Way told Bored Panda. "It's something I have been interested in since I was a child."

"Mantises are my favorite insects. For me, mantises are the perfect models for macro photography."

Way started taking photos of mantises in 2013. Now, he has photographed over 100 species of them and has vowed to continue looking for more.

The photographer said one needs both luck and skill to take a good mantis photo. However, Way welcomes the challenge. "Mantises may look aggressive but actually they are very gentle and they all look like a professional models."

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Manasvi Tupe
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you merge mantis and a butterfly this is the result, and its beautiful!

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Gerrit
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And some people still think aliens don't exist. They are already among us! :)

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The face reminds me of the illustrated adverts for sea monkeys. I remember those back from when I was a kid.

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MantisGirl13
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a subadult (juvenile) female of the same species as the first picture in this post, the spiny flower mantis.

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Chewie Baron
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It won't be a juvenile mantis, as soon as they emerge from their eggs, they have to find somewhere safe immediately. If an adult mantis is nearby, including its mother, it'll be eaten if it is seen.

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TinTin
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just woke up... hard night last night... where's my comb and toothbrush?

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Note: this post originally had 32 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.