30 Million-year-old Praying Mantis is preserved in pristine piece of amber

Inside a clear piece of amber, there is a small prayer mantis, frozen forever in time. The piece, which measures just slightly over one inch tall, was sold via Heritage Auctions for $6,000 in 2016.

The pristine piece of amber, which comes from the Dominican Republic, gives a rare view of this incredible mantis. The amber itself derives from the extinct Hymenaea protera, a prehistoric leguminous tree.

Most amber found in Central and South America comes from its resin. Amber from the Dominican Republic is known as Dominican resin, which is noted for its clarity and a high number of inclusions.

This tiny fossil could date as far back as the Oligocene period some 23 million to 34 million years ago.

This praying mantis is essentially frozen in time and is one of 2,400 species of its kind. They typically live in tropical climates and is a true relic of evolutionary history.

Heritage Auctions dates the piece in question to the Oligocene period, placing it anywhere from about 23 million to 33.9 million years old.

It’s an important period of time where the archaic Eocene transitions into more modern ecosystems of the Miocene period, which lasted until 5 million years ago. Incredibly, the mantis itself doesn’t appear so different from what we see today.

There are over 2,400 species of mantises today, mainly living in tropical climates. But the earliest mantis fossils, which date back 135 million years, come from a place that is, today, much colder—Siberia.

Some early fossils even show mantises with spines on their front legs, just like modern mantises. Whoever bought this piece of amber took home an interesting piece of evolutionary history, one that can be gazed at each day.

30-Million-Year-Old Praying Mantis

Encased in amber sometime during the Oligocene period

The piece sold for $6,000 back in 2016

Related Posts

Kanye West has teeth REMOVED and replaced with $850K TITANIUM dentures ‘more expensive than diamonds’ – as rapper compares himself to James Bond villain Jaws

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is apparently into heavy metal now.On Wednesday, Ye shared a picture on Instagram of what appeared to be metallic dentures. The…

Woman linked to Offset issues tearful apology to Cardi B: ‘I never meant to break up a happy home’

Summer Bunni says she has not “messed” with Offset since he and Cardi B’s daughter Kulture Kiari was born in tearful apology to the “Bodak Yellow” singer.The…

Offset begs Cardi B for head at 5 AM without brushing her teeth

Offset and Cardi B are never shy with sharing their love life. Watch this video below if you don’t understand what I mean!Cardi B and husband Offset…

Offset and Cardi have a good time talking with fans together and do some fun things

Cardi B and ex-hubby Offset enjoy their time while talking with fans online. Watch it!Cardi B and husband Offset’s relationship has endedThe “Bodak Yellow” rapper, 31, confirmed…

Fans beg Cardi B not to get back to Offset as rapper once admitted she hasn’t had it for a long time

Cardi B continues to spark divorce rumors from husband Offset.On a recent Instagram Live, the “Bodak Yellow” artist talked about New Year’s resolutions and making the decision…

“Your gpa is below 2.0”, “Female LeBron”: Fans voice mixed reactions to Angel Reese’s lofty IG post

LSU Tigers superstar Angel Reese saw mixed reactions coming her way after he took to Instagram to post a lofty post. The 2023 NCAA champion has been…