desert bugs - Top That! Publishing
desert bugs - Top That! Publishing
desert bugs - Top That! Publishing
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Do insects use their legs in self-defence<br />
Native Americans once called this strange-looking insect ‘Woh-tzi Neh,’ which means ‘old bald-headed man’.<br />
It is, in fact, a Jerusalem cricket, and although at 5 cm (2 in.) in length it may look fearsome, it doesn’t sting<br />
and isn’t poisonous – so how does it protect itself from harm? Instead of using its strong hind legs to<br />
jump away from danger like other crickets might, they help it<br />
perform a disappearing act! When threatened, it uses the spikes<br />
on its powerful hind legs to dig a hole in the soil or sand and<br />
disappears to safety underground.<br />
The Jerusalem cricket uses<br />
its powerful hind legs to<br />
dig into the ground.<br />
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