African Stick Mantis Popa spurca

Measuring just 7 to 8 centimetres, this mantis pulls off a remarkable disappearing act by mimicking a twig from a woody plant. Here's the curious part: females are noticeably larger than males, sometimes a full centimetre longer. This sexual dimorphism is unusual among mantises—females pack on size to carry more eggs, while smaller males focus on agility and mate-finding. The size difference reflects different evolutionary strategies for survival and reproduction.