Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis

Name:

Harry

Species:

Chinese Praying Mantis

Home:

Memphis, Tennessee, although his ancestors are Chinese.

Likes:

Eating, traveling, family, hanging out with friends—and the way the rising sun reflects off droplets of morning dew at home, like thousands of tiny camera flashes pointed just at him. Also ‘90s cover bands.

Dislikes:

Harry turns up his nose at opera, those TikTok dance routines and any movie with an unreliable narrator.

Favorite Foods:

Definitely a carnivore. He loves crickets, grasshoppers, flies, beetles—any insect, really. Except, you know, his friends.

Biggest Dream:

Settling back down into a normal life after achieving superstardom during his “Harry’s Big Adventure” tour.

Favorite Movie:

Homeward Bound, though it makes him cry every time.

Unusual Party Trick:

Harry has excellent eyesight and can see movement up to 60 feet away—which is especially helpful for spotting paparazzi.

Favorite Quote:

“There’s no place like home.”

More fascinating facts about Mantids:

The better to see you with—Mantids have a total of five eyes—two large and three smaller ones in between. Harry’s so thankful he doesn’t need to wear contact lenses—imagine the morning routine.

Pray or prey? —Mantids are named for the bent position of their front legs, not their predatory behavior.

Wait for it… —Praying mantises do not actively hunt their prey. Instead, they wait without moving, ready to grab any passing insect. It’s chess, not checkers.