Mantodea is the praying mantis order of insects. They have three striking characteristics: a large triangular head with large eyes which can judge distance very accurately; a long prothorax to which the arms used for catching prey are attached; substantial spiky arms for catching prey. The animals are called praying mantis because when awaiting prey, they adopt a pose which resembles that of a person praying. Praying mantis vary in size with species (of which there are about 2500 distributed through over 400 genera) ranging from 15 mm to 250 mm long. Members of the order are to be found in warmer moderate climates, the sub-tropics and tropics and even in southern Europe. Most praying mantis lie in wait for their prey, and then strike at it with the enlarged front legs, then eating it alive. Desert dwelling species may actively hunt their prey, however. Often during mating the female rips the head off her partner, and eats it while still copulating with him, the thorax and abdomen continuing to be impelled by nerve endings. In this way the male
provides protein to his own offspring. However, a well-fed female will very often not eat her mate. Research Mantodea
Porky's is a sexcomedy starring Dan Monahan, Mark Herrier, Wyatt Knight, Roger Wilson, Cyril O'Reilly, Tony Ganios and Kim Cattrall in a story about six sex-obsessed teenagers in Florida plotting revenge against a sleazy nightclub owner after he rips them off. Porky's was directed by Bob Clark in 1981. Research Porky's
The Torres Strait is a sea passage between Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea. It is about 144 km wide and contains numerous islands
ranging from patches of sand or coral to 80 sq. km. in area. The larger islands, chief of which is Thursday Island are inhabited; some of the islets are used by the natives as fishing stations or gardens. About 1890 the strait became celebrated as a pearling ground, and the adventurers who rushed thither treated the natives harshly. The Queensland government intervened, and established a staff of protectors who, with the assistance of missionaries from the London Missionary Society, checked the abuses and improved the condition of the natives. In addition to pearls and pearl shell the Strait yields beche de mer in large quantities. Navigation through the tidal rips and among the coral reefs is difficult and dangerous, natives being the best pilots. The Strait was discovered by Torres in 1606. Research Torres Strait
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
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