Grasshoppers are notable for their large hind legs that enable them to jump long distances. Therefore, I've been surprised that several of the grasshoppers I have seen recently have been missing one of these important legs.
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| A short-horned grasshopper (Acrididae) nymph missing one of its back legs. |
Apparently, a grasshopper can easily detach a leg from its body in order to escape from a predator. Although costly and somewhat gruesome, this process of "autotomy" or "self-amputation" is preferable to the alternative: being consumed by the predator. Furthermore, once the grasshopper reaches the adult stage, its wings are fully developed and it no longer has to rely on its jumping prowess.
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| A short-horned grasshopper (Acrididae) adult missing one of its back legs. |
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