African Twig Mantis vs Seychelles Palm Spider

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Twig Mantis Seychelles Palm Spider
Scientific Name Popa spurca crassa Nephila inaurata
Order Mantodea Araneae
Family Mantidae Nephilidae
Size 50-70 mm 30-40 mm body; 120 mm leg span
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions West Africa, East Africa Seychelles, Indian Ocean Islands
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

African Twig Mantis

A subspecies of twig mantis with an even rougher bark-like texture. Its flattened body and ragged edges mimic a broken-off twig fragment.

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Did You Know?

Its leg joints have flattened lobes that enhance its twig disguise by mimicking small leaf scars.

Seychelles Palm Spider

A large golden orb-weaver spider found in the Seychelles with strong yellow silk. Females can have a leg span exceeding 12 cm.

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Did You Know?

Its golden silk is so strong that local people have used it to make fishing lures.