Cannibalism!

I am house sitting again for the "chicken house" -- although this summer they've also added guinea pigs and ducks to the mix. That brings the grand total of animals to 30 -- counting the fish, parakeets, cats, and Buddy, the cute little dog that tinkles on his front paw every time he pees.

This house is far enough out of town that is is also home to a WHOLE BUNCH of bugs. Bugs I have never seen before that look like they are more native to Costa Rica than Chattanooga. There was one large beetle? roach? tarantula? in the driveway the other night that I thought about taking a picture of so I could identify it, but I thought the flash might startle it and I had no idea if it could fly or bite or lay eggs under human skin, etc.

Today, though, I went to check the mail and happened upon something right out of National Geographic! On the handle of the mailbox there were two praying mantises. One of them was bigger and the other one wasn't moving. I thought they were mating until I realized the smaller one was completely DESICCATED! His abdomen was split open and nothing was left inside. Also, his head was gone. The female looked really satisfied.