naturalists are well aware of how many of the most incredible animals and plants have on our planet.Many of the most "extravagant" species occur among insects.Such is the biggest grasshopper in the world, ueta.
We used to think that among the largest insect species are found only among the spiders, but they can give ueta odds.
In size they surpass even many species of locusts, which are also difficult to attribute to the small species.Unfortunately, in our country ueta not live.
So the biggest grasshopper can grow up to 10 cm in length, and with paws and tail and all could "pull" on 15-20 cm. As for weight, the large ueta often fattened up in '70 Seeminglynot so much, only a medium-sized sparrow rarely weighs more than '40
the way, their family name can be translated into Russian as "terrifying grasshopper" and inhabits this very large grasshopper on the coast of New Zealand.
natives of old feared and revered them, as even by local standards such dimensions is difficult to attribute to normal.In New Zealand, there are about 11 species, many of which grow even more than 15 cm.
No wonder they are so popular among fans of insects that contain them at home on a pet.
worth only once to see how such a giant sitting on the finger of a man with a tremendous appetite chew a carrot, you can immediately decide how you feel about them.Someone the biggest grasshopper immediately sinks into the soul, and someone runs away screaming.
Externally almost all ueta remind outrageously beefy ordinary grasshopper, only without the wings.But there is one important difference: our insect paws healthy and do not have such massive spikes, which are used as an excellent self-defense weapons.
way, why all members of the family have become so big?The fact that their ancestors came to New Zealand in those days, when it has not been isolated from the Australian archipelago.
Then there lived only the smallest mammals were not predators, but food is literally lying under their feet.Not surprisingly, the evolutionary process made of the usual insects such whoppers.
With regard to the conditions of capriciousness of life, it is practically no: the biggest grasshopper in the world can live in the forest, swampy terrain, the mountains or the city park.Many ueta - predators who do not mind a bite lizard or even little mouse, but about a third of species feed on plant food.
Without them, the flora of New Zealand would have to be tight, as they play an important role in spreading the seeds of eaten these plants and fruits.
only one and a half years of grasshoppers reach sexual maturity, and soon after mating the female lays about 300 eggs, and then die.
Unfortunately, in the wild largest grasshoppers in the world may soon disappear.The fact that they are destroying feral cats, dogs and rats, who came to the archipelago with European ships.
