mantis

A photographer shared a close-up portrait of a tiny mantis sunning itself on a hot morning, noting the insect was smaller than a pinkie and stayed still long enough for the shot. The picture was taken with a Vivo X300 Pro on standard auto settings with no edits, and is being shared for its sharp detail and bokeh.

The mantis shrimp is drawing attention for its extraordinary strike: its punch accelerates as fast as a .22-caliber bullet, with enough force to shatter aquarium glass. The crustacean also has remarkable vision, with 12 to 16 color receptors compared with three in humans, allowing it to detect polarized light people cannot see. Science fans are sharing the facts as a striking example of extreme biology in the ocean.

The year's funniest wildlife photography has been announced, and one standout image features what has been dubbed a 'sexy mantis'. The humorous photos celebrate the lighter side of animal behaviour, with the mantis entry drawing particular attention for its unexpectedly suggestive pose, delighting nature fans and casual viewers alike.

The 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have highlighted a new batch of amusing animal images, including a mantis dubbed 'Sexy Mantis', an orangutan caught in an obscene-looking pose, and a sparrowhawk that appears to be prancing. The competition celebrates humorous wildlife photography while drawing attention to conservation. The shortlisted pictures are being widely shared and enjoyed by animal lovers.

A simplified version of Turkish manti, the classic dumpling dish, is drawing attention as an easy weeknight dinner. The recipe uses regular pasta instead of hand-folded dumplings while keeping the traditional flavors, typically yogurt, spiced butter and seasonings. Home cooks are sharing it as a way to enjoy the beloved Turkish comfort food in under an hour without the labor-intensive folding step.

A gardener reports seeing an unusual range of new wildlife in their garden this summer, including a praying mantis and a tiny toad. They credit the biodiversity to the many flowers planted by their spouse, noting that the newly attracted creatures are now helping keep pests away from the plants naturally.

A writer in Oregon's coast range reports that fall is mantis season, with the season's praying mantises covering the farm where they live. Each autumn they manage at least one close photo session with one of the insects, which they describe as beautiful predators. The observation is being shared warmly among nature and wildlife enthusiasts online.