The mantis, with its unique appearance, can be said to be one of the most well-known insect species, not only because of its dazzling exterior but also because of its thoughtful expression and its ever-praying posture, which makes it hard not to leave a deep impression.

This book reveals the fascinating ecology and unique behavioral language of mantises, adding more fun to natural observations in the wild.

The author provides a detailed introduction to the types and ecological characteristics of mantises in Taiwan, and generously shares many special and rare species and ecologies from his collection of overseas mantises in a grand global mantis garden. Among them, the orchid mantis, the magic flower mantis, and the thorned flower mantis can be said to bring the world of mantis camouflage to the extreme, broadening one's horizons.

Mantises can be observed, bred, and even preserved as specimens for permanent keeping. If you want to befriend mantises, this book is the best place to start.

Huang Shih-Jie

Born in Taipei in 1973, Huang Shih-Jie never enjoyed school as a child and was more interested in nature observation. He only completed his compulsory education (highest degree: Datong Junior High School) before entering the job market. The year he was discharged from the military, a work-related accident led to the amputation of four fingers on his right hand, which became a turning point in his life. He returned to the ecological world he had always yearned for and diligently self-studied knowledge about wildlife and plants. In recent years, he has visited countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia, venturing deep into uninhabited tropical rainforests to photograph plants and animals in their natural habitats. He has served as an entomology consultant for the National Science Council's ecological films, an assistant for the National Science Council projects at National Taiwan University and Chiayi University, an ecological lecturer for "Taiwan Complete Record," and a lecturer and host for "Have Fun with Nature." He is currently the host of SET Television's "Up the Mountain, Down the Sea, Spend a Night," leading families into nature observation while focusing on natural ecological photography and writing. He is a columnist for the science section of the National Daily News and the Digital Island website of the Academia Sinica, as well as the author of the elementary school Chinese language textbook lesson "Madagascar, Let's Go!" He often shares his nature observation experiences on various social media platforms.

Publications include: "Hercules Beetle," "Insect Facebook," "Playing with Nature with Children," "The Private Life of Mantises," "A Home in the Forest," "Insects on the Menu," "Tyrant Beetle Encyclopedia," "Super Shocking Beetle King", "100 Common Insects of Hui-Sun Forest Farm" photography works, "Beetle Diary," "Stag Beetle Diary," "Beetle Diary 2," "Plant Diary," and "Pseudo-Fairy Creature Diary."

1 The Mysterious Praying Mantis
2 The Mantis's Lifestyle: Clothing, Food, Shelter, and Movement
3 The Behavioral Language of Mantises
4 The Continuation of the Mantis's Life
5 The Elegy of the Assassin Mantis
6 A Grand Review of Taiwan's Mantises
7 The Global Mantis Garden
8 Simple Mantis Breeding and Observation
9 Preserving the Beautiful Countenance of Mantises