♪ Wild Kratts ♪ MARTIN: We’re here in North America on the East Coast in the Northern Woodlands.

Hey, it’s us, the Kratt Brothers.

I’m Chris.

I’m Martin, and we are looking for a group of animals that can be found on most continents of the world.

But we’ve got to hurry, because this animal is active in the spring, summer and fall, but not in the winter.

MARTIN: It’s the end of summer, beginning of fall, and it’s a good time of year to find one of the biggest bugs around.

They’re also one of the best camouflagers around.

They blend perfectly in with the twigs and the leaves because they come in green and brown.

I wish they came in blue.

A blue one would be so cool.

Well, if they came in blue, I wouldn’t be able to see the green one on your back.

Where?

Wait.

Now, this is who we’re talking about: a praying mantis.

And even though this is such a big bug and very ferocious-looking, praying mantis are totally harmless and one of the easiest bugs to pick up.

Just slide your hand gently underneath, and then she’ll walk right up onto your hand and hang out there.

It’s easy to tell that this praying mantis is a female because this back part, this part called the abdomen, is really big.

In fact, female praying mantises are twice as big as males.

The praying mantis hides with their camouflage, waiting for a bug to come near and then, bam, strikes with those raptorial arms.

That’s the praying mantis pose right there: the hunting pose.

What a bug hunter!

Camouflage, raptorial arms.

Imagine if we had praying mantis powers.

BOTH: What if?

(Exhaling sharply) ♪ On adventure with the coolest creatures ♪ ♪ From the oceans to the trees ♪ ♪ The Brothers Kratt are going places you never get to see ♪ ♪ Hanging with their creature friends ♪ ♪ Get ready, it’s the hour ♪ ♪ We’re gonna save some animals today with ♪ ♪ Creature Power ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪ ♪ Cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ ♪ Falcon flight and lion pride ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ (Snoring) (Snoring continues) Huh?

Whoa!

Ronan, wake up!

What, is it time for school already?

No, it’s still summer.

Remember that thing we got that we didn’t know what it was?

You mean the cocoon?

Yeah.

Well, now we know what kind it was.

It was a praying mantis cocoon.

What is a cocoon, anyway?

It’s an egg case, and it hatched.

Now there are baby praying mantises everywhere.

And they’re tiny.

They’re all over my bed.

If we get out of bed, we could crush some.

We need help.

BOTH: Hmm... (Gasping) We need-- BOTH: The Wild Kratts!

But we can’t even get to the Creature Pod.

Hmm.

Oh!

Ha!

Whoa.

Ha!

Got it.

Now, call the Wild Kratts.

I hope they’re not off on a Creature Mission.

(Imitating monkey gibbering) Golden snub-nosed monkey.

You got it, bro.

My turn.

Aw, come on.

That’s too easy.

Gecko.

Besides, there’s one right there.

(Giggling, alarm sounding) BOTH: Whoa!

KOKI: The Wild Kratts’ alarm.

(Static crackling) Hey, Wild Kratts.

It’s Ronan.

What’s up, Ronan?

A praying mantis cocoon hatched in our bedroom.

There are babies everywhere!

Don’t move.

I’ve got a Wow Fact.

(Snoring) COMPUTER: Wow Fact.

Wow Fact.

Wow Fact.

Wow Fact.

Huh?

Whoa!

A praying mantis cocoon can hatch out 200 babies, and they’re tiny.

Wow.

And that means we’ve got a lot of baby praying mantis rescuing to do.

We’ll be right there.

Okay, hurry!

Hmm, praying mantis.

What does a bug pray for?

To be more like me?

Just keep spying on them.

You thinking what I’m thinking, bro?

I know I’m thinking what you’re thinking.

A little electrical Lizard Power?

It’s time to get back to-- BOTH: The Gecko Effect.

Activate Gecko Powers.

Creature Mission Number One: get kids out of bed without crushing any baby mantises.

Let’s do it.

How’s that for an entrance?

Awesome!

It’s the Wild Kratts!

Hey, Mom, can we have a Wild Kratts adventure in our room?

MOM: Okay.

Cool!

Gecko Powers.

CHRIS: Time to get up.

And you mean literally.

Up, up, and out of here.

Mission accomplished.

Well, Mission Number One, anyway.

But now, we’ve got Creature Mission Number Two: rescue all the baby praying mantis from the room and release them in the treetop wilderness.

Well, we can’t go in there and walk around.

We’ll crush some for sure.

Yeah, if we’re real size, but not if we’re mini size.

Yes!

BOTH: The Miniaturizer!

I’ll stay real size and guard the Miniaturizer.

You never know if Zach may be lurking around somewhere.

Yeah, me too.

I don’t want to miniaturize.

(Energy pulsating) But I can give you a ride over to the room.

Want a lift?

ALL: Yeah!

Okay, everybody.

Let’s split up and collect as many baby praying mantises as you can.

Oh, there’s one.

Woo!

Ooh.

Hey, there’s one.

CHRIS: We’ll need a way to get them out the window.

Ugh.

(Martin laughing) And I’ll call you Swivelhead.

And, oh, you?

You’re Green Alien and you’re the Druid.

And you-- (Chris chuckling) Are you kidding me, Martin?

There are 200 babies you’ll have to name.

Oh, yeah.

That is a lot.

Maybe I’ll take a break from naming today.

(Humming) There you go, Koki.

Go on, little cuties.

CHRIS: Come on, guys, hurry up.

We still have a lot of praying mantises to collect.

Yeah!

Yeah!

(Exhaling) (Grunting) This is your bug stop.

Hmm... Whoa!

(Toy laughing) (Cymbals crashing, screaming) So, that’s where my toy monkey was.

(Chuckling) Whoa!

Our toys are giant.

Look at my soccer ball.

Kick it, Ronan.

(Grunting) Ouch!

Uh-oh.

Whoa!

(Panting) Gah!

Yes!

Whew!

We’re safe, little buddies.

Well, I think it’s time to announce Creature Mission Number Two accompli-- (Hissing) (Gasping) (Hissing) You have a pet snake?

Well, he’s not really a pet.

We caught him to look at him.

But then he escaped-- And we couldn’t find him.

Well, we’ve found him now.

I’ve got it!

I’ll distract him with my world-famous mouse impression, and you guys run for the window.

Squeak-squeak-squeak?

Squeak-squeak squeak-squeak-squeak.

How was that a mouse, bro?

That’s just you squeaking.

Squeak-squeak-squeak?

Squeak-squeak squeak-squeak-squeak.

So?

This milk snake is believing it.

Squeak-squeak-squeak?

Squeak-squeak squeak-squeak-squeak.

Run!

Squeak-squeak-squeak?

Squeak-squeak squeak-squeak-squeak.

Now we can say it.

Mission Number Two accomplished.

Praying mantis babies-- Well, 200 of them.

ALL: Living free and in the wild!

CHRIS: They are miniature versions of their parents.

And they’re on their own from day one.

Nobody has to take care of them or teach them.

They know how to take care of themselves from day one with instinct.

That’s the amazing praying mantis.

Why do they call them praying mantis?

(Static crackling) Why do they call them praying mantis?

ZACH: That’s my question.

Hey, you can’t steal my question.

Let’s get there.

Those Wild Kratts are stealing my question.

If I don’t stop them, they’ll steal everything from me.

(Engine roaring) What do you think?

Well, it kind of looks like he’s praying.

Exactly, and that’s why he’s named a praying mantis, because it looks like he’s praying.

But that’s "praying" spelled "P-R-A-Y-I-N-G." Yeah, but a praying mantis is not praying to Ugbuh, the bug god.

He’s really "preying," "P-R-E-Y-I-N-G," like in "predator" and "prey."

AVIVA & KIDS: Oh, I get it.

AVIVA: Oh, no.

Look out!

Oof!

(Groaning) Wow.

Wow.

What a cool predator.

Whoa-oh.

She was there the whole time camouflaged as the color of the leaves, hidden with her raptorial arms poised, ready to strike at any time.

Those arms are fascinating, especially designed for hunting.

Raptorial arms.

Whoa!

Whoa!

MARTIN: Oh, and by the way, a praying mantis always eats her prey head first.

Those raptorial arms are way cool I mean, this is one Creature Power Suit I have to make, for sure.

BOTH: And one we have to test, for sure.

ZACH: Yeah, and you all bug me, for sure.

Those would make great robot arms, and I know just how to use them: for stealing things.

Go get me one of those bugs.

How come you always say "she"?

How do you know she’s a she?

Because she is that big.

CHRIS: The male praying mantis are much smaller, only the half the size of a female praying mantis.

MARTIN: The female praying mantis is two times as big and five times as heavy.

Whoa!

CHRIS: And the male praying mantises have to be careful.

MARTIN: Because female praying mantis eat the male praying mantis.

Oh, it’s a good thing the boys can fly.

Really?

I better get a scan.

First the wing shields separate, then the wings deploy.

CHRIS: Whoa.

Check out how delicate those wings are.

I’m on it.

Woo-hoo!

KIDS: Wow!

Awesome.

Awesome.

(Giggling) Martin can never resist a chance to ride a creature.

MARTIN: Yes!

Woo-hoo!

Male praying mantis are pretty good flyers.

Whoa-- Hey!

Ah.

Whoa-- Hmm.

(Laughing) Oh, brother.

What about her?

Can she fly, too?

Not really.

Female praying mantises are too heavy to fly far, if they can fly at all.

Wow, these praying mantis wing mechanisms are amazing protective shields guarding gossamer wings.

This is going to be an awesome Creature Power Suit.

I’ve got to get real sized and get to work.

Praying mantis powers?

Wait, I’ll help.

(Energy pulsating) Wait up.

(Cackling) (Laughing) (Cackling) Whew.

All right, I think we’ve got how the praying mantis abilities work.

Well, then, what are we waiting for?

Let’s bring on the Creature Power.

(Aircraft engine humming) What’s Zach doing here, and why is he wearing that?

I don’t know.

Maybe he’s cold or something.

Uh-oh.

The Miniaturizer!

Can’t let him get his hands on this.

Be cool.

Greetings.

Do not be alarmed.

I am a weary traveler.

Have you a glass of water?

Forget it, Zach.

You just stay away from the Miniaturizer.

Miniaturizer?

(Laughing) How would I steal your Miniaturizer?

It’s way over there, and my arms only reach this far.

So, how could I steal it?

BOTH: Hmm.

This is how, with my mechanical mantis arms!

(Cackling) Hey, give me that back!

Hmm.

No, I’ll take you back.

(Gasping) Hey, you grabby robot, get your hands off me.

Ouch!

They’re more like pinchers.

Ouch!

What’s going on over there?

Uh-oh, it’s Zach.

First, I’ve got to get my precious Miniaturizer back to my plane, and then I’ll come back for the rest of you Wild Kratts.

(Cackling) Zach has the Miniaturizer.

We can’t let him get away with it.

Come on.

(Engine revving) (Cackling) KOKI: Put us down!

Oh, no.

Zach has the Miniaturizer.

He’s also captured Koki and Jimmy.

Aviva, we really need Praying Mantis Powers now.

I’m on it.

A few more adjustments, and... Praying Mantis discs programmed and ready.

Awesome.

Hmm, wait.

Where’s Chris?

Oh, no!

They’re still miniaturized.

Chris, where are you?

(Static crackling) We’re going after the Miniaturizer, but we could use a little backup, bro.

You got it, dude.

How about some big bug backup?

Yeah!

Yeah!

Woo-hoo!

Activate Praying Mantis Power.

♪ Oh, yeah!

To the Creature Rescue.

AVIVA: Go get ’em!

KOKI: Let us go.

JIMMY: Where are you taking us?

Whoa!

Ugh.

Huh?

Oh, no.

We’re trapped.

Let us out of here, Zach.

I’m sorry I can’t offer you a more comfortable room, but I’d be happy to shrink you down if it gets too cramped in there.

(Cackling) MARTIN: Hey, Zach, how would you like me to introduce you to Praying Mantis Power?

Oh, great.

More Creature Powers to bug me.

Zach-bots, get him.

Oh, just like big beetles.

Woo-hoo!

Yeah-ha-ha.

I need bigger Zach-bots.

Zach-bots, enlarge, and get Mantis Martin.

You’re underestimating this Creature Power, Zach.

Praying mantis can eat bugs, birds, lizards and mammals as big as they are.

You can fly but you can’t hide.

ZACH: He’s right there!

He’s camouflaged, you metal-head.

He’s right there!

Praying mantis are full of surprises.

Now, give me back that mantis, Zach.

Agh!

Well, then, try dealing with Zach-bots that are bigger than you.

Uh, much bigger.

Hurry.

Get him!

Oh, yeah?

Uh-oh.

Ahhh!

Oh, no!

Oh, no!

See?

Machine Powers are better than Creature Powers.

Quick, back to real size.

(Cackling) So much for Mantis Martin.

You can’t bug me with your puny bug powers anymore.

(Something rumbling) AVIVA: Oh, but I can.

Huh?

Wha’?

And girl praying mantis are much bigger than boys.

Oh, boy.

Girl praying mantis eat boy praying mantis.

Uh, but we’re good, Aviva, right?

We’re good?

Oh, yeah, sure.

But Zach, we’re not.

ZACH: Oh, no.

I need bigger Zach-bots.

Enlarge to giant size.

Giant size, giant size!

Looking for this?

Ahhh!

Give me that.

It’s mine.

I just stole it from you.

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Ahhh!

How’s this for girl power, Zach?

(Screaming) Please don’t eat me!

Please don’t eat me!

Ew, gross.

Of course not.

But do you promise never to bother harmless animals ever again?

Yeah, sure, never again.

Never, ever again.

Yeah, right.

Just get out of here, Zach.

Oh!

Ow-wee.

All right!

We’re free.

Thanks, Gavin.

No problem.

Zach, one more thing.

You’re going to have to hand over the praying mantis you captured.

Or what?

You’re not the boss of me.

Ah!

Okay, here.

(Shouting) You’re safe now, girl.

We’ll get you back home in no time.

AVIVA: Come on, everybody.

All aboard.

Aw, you guys are so cute.

Now, watch this.

I’m going to have a little fun with a little guy who bugs me.

Hey, Zach?

ZACH: Let me go, let me go!

Sure thing, Zach.

(Screaming) (Laughing) Oh, this is fun.

I could so catch him if I wanted to.

(Martin laughing) Praying Mantis Powers rule!

Praying mantises are expert ambush hunters with incredible Creature Powers.

And the great thing?

Praying mantises can be found all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica, and there are so many different species.

And we’re going to see three of them right now with some Wild Kratts kids.

Okay, guys, we are going to test the camouflage powers of the praying mantis by searching for the three different mantis we’ve hidden in this field.

Walk carefully, ’cause they could be right in front of your nose and you might not see it, okay?

Whoa!

There it is!

Oh, yeah, there it is.

KID: It’s like an alien.

MARTIN: Yes!

You found it.

Nice job.

It’s the double shield praying mantis.

See how her arms are up like this?

That’s the hunting pose.

As soon as a bug comes by, thwap!

They get him.

(Laughing) Look out, bugs.

A mantis has a quick grab.

Oh, is that it?

GIRL: Oh, there it is.

MARTIN: Yes, you found it!

This is called the giant praying mantis.

Giant?

MARTIN: Yeah.

Look at that triangular head.

You know, they can’t move their eyes.

So, they just swivel that triangular head around when they want to look anywhere, and the rest of the body doesn’t move.

Does anybody want to hold her?

I do.

All right.

These are big bugs, but they’re very harmless and easy to hold.

There you go.

What do you think?

You like praying mantis?

Yeah.

Wow.

MARTIN: Okay, are you guys ready to look for the third praying mantis?

This one camouflages itself like a dead leaf.

GIRL: Is that it?

CHRIS: Yeah.

Awesome.

CHRIS: This is a different kind of mantis called a prickly stick insect.

MARTIN: All right, so who thinks praying mantis are great at camouflage?

KIDS: I do.

Woo!

BOY: Whoa, they’re great.

So, next time you’re out on a hike, look at the leaves for a praying mantis.

If you’re lucky and you look real close, you might find one.

You know they’ll be watching you.

Keep on creature adventuring.

We’ll see you on the creature trail.

♪ To find out more about cool animals-- And collect your own Wild Kratts Creature Powers-- Go to the Wild Kratts website.

At PBSkids.org.

BOTH: We’ll see you there!