What's going on with these mantises? Are they about to fight? Are they posing for a picture? Are they even alive? Yes, they are alive, and it appears to be a kind of stand-off, where they are bluffing each other, waiting and even daring one of them to make the first move. Bluffing and posturing are perfectly good tactics in the animal kingdom.
Turns out they are in their fighting stance in reaction to the camera, as it eventually becomes clear that's what they are looking at. They sure are pretty, for a bunch of bugs. Adrian Kozakiewicz (previously at Neatorama) of InsecthausTV has plenty more videos that delve into the mysterious world of insect behavior. -via Boing Boing