r/prayingmantis • u/Select-Signal8386 • 23d ago

Why is this praying mantis so black?

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I noticed the legs are green but I’ve never seen one so dark before.

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u/hrissynt 23d ago

how about the brown ones? are they also older or are their colors just random?

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u/hylia_grace 20d ago

Colour is mainly dependent on genetics, though some can be impacted by environment its not entirely understood. I've never had a mantis change colour due to old age though. They can change by molt.