On a recent kayak trip down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River we picked up an uninvited guest along the way. Seeking a little respite from the blazing sun, we parked our kayaks under the shade of some river-overhanging branches. Shortly afterwards this little green girl dropped in.
This is a female Carolina Mantis, one of the several different species of praying mantises that live in the state of Texas. She rode with us until we needed another break from the intense summer heat. Under another set of shade-providing branches the intrepid praying mantis jumped off nearly a mile (two kilometers) upstream from where her journey began.
Observation Details
| County | – | Denton |  |
| City | – | Carrollton | |
| Date | – | Aug 23, 2013 | |
| Time of Day | – | Noon | |
| Temperature | – | Hot (greater than 89°F/32°C) | |
| Weather | – | Partly Cloudy | |
| Habitat | – | Water-River | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Roaming | |
| Gender | – | Female | |
| Maturity | – | Juvenile | |
| Observer | – | Jonah Taylor | |
| Main Article | – | Carolina Mantis | Observation Location |
