bizarre breeding

went to the museum of nature today. they had an exhibit called 'fatal attraction' which showcased a variety of species with strange and/or interesting mating rituals. after walking through the exhibit i watched a short documentary called 'bizarre breeding'. did you know that when praying mantids mate, the female eats the male's head (the one above the shoulders)! he becomes completely decapitated but the nerves in his body keep him going! by eating the head, he helps nourish the female and therefore his offspring. hmmm, puts a new spin on 'giving head'.