If a mantis could laugh, it would surely be a theatrical, maniacal laugh of the ‘mwahaha’ variety.
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Though the devil stick mantis is one of the largest of all mantis species, the nefarious influence of this entomological super-villain is limited to its East-African home range.
It’s not known to have a secret lair (though, of course, that’s the thing about secret lairs), but there’s no doubt it’s a master of disguise.
It comes in a variety of colours – greens, browns and pinks, blending with the local vegetation and waiting for passing victims, like flies, butterflies, moths - and there's no venom involved.
Like most mantises, it consumes its prey while it’s still alive, usually biting the head or thorax first. It relies on strength and grip, using the inner edges of its forelegs — which are lined with sharp spines — like barbed traps. Once caught, escape is almost impossible and trying futile.
