PRAYING MANTIS, AN ALIEN'S WORLD

Grim predators

Synopsis

They look like creatures from an alien planet, and, in fact, praying mantises have inspired Hollywood science fiction filmmakers in their designs for extraterrestrial monsters.

It's more than their physical shape that is disturbing. Praying mantises, with some reaching the giant size of 20 centimeters, are grim predators that can overwhelm prey much larger than themselves, and any victim that comes within range of their razor-sharp, needle-studded claws stands little chance of survival.

With stunning visuals, this spectacular film shows how mantises live, reproduce, and die.