a praying mantis taken in Lincoln, Nebraska
an African bullfrog taken at the Omaha Zoo
a polar bear taken at the Tulsa Zoo
a black-tailed prairie dog taken at Zoo Atlanta
a Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake taken at St. Louis Zoo
a Southern black widow spider taken at Audubon Zoo
a common octopus at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab
a blotched tiger salamander taken at the Gladys Porter Zoo
a Djungarian hamster taken at the Gladys Porter Zoo
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Praying MantisStatus: Not Assessed When it comes to mantis mating, it appears that size matters. Female mantises are known for decapitating and eating males during mating, but studies suggest only one in six males may meet this fate. Those that do are typically smaller individuals selectively targeted by very hungry females—a predatory act that occurs outside of mating as well. Photographed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Buy a print | License this photo
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

9 Animals That Are Stone-Cold Killers

Cannibalism among animals is fairly uncommon, but these species are known to eat their own kind. Check out these photos of animal cannibals from the National Geographic Photo Ark.

March 02, 2016

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