A master of disguise from the deep, humid forests of southern Vietnam, Deroplatys gorochovi is one of nature’s most convincing leaf impersonators. With its wide, tattered‑leaf pronotum and rich earthy colouring, this species looks as though it drifted straight out of the forest floor and onto your branch.

Often called the Vietnam Dead Leaf Mantis, this species is prized for its dramatic silhouette, calm presence, and uncanny ability to vanish into a pile of leaves even when it’s sitting right in front of you.