Praying Mantis – Bug Carousel, Bronx Zoo, New York City, New York

In lieu of horses and other mammalian and mythological beasts, the Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel features 64 different types of insects that you can mount – including beetles, grasshoppers, ladybugs, a long-legged praying mantis, a formidable bombardier beetle, and an endearing firefly. There are also two stationary chariots: a monarch butterfly and a dung beetle. Each figure is hand-carved from sustainable basswood and painted to look just like its real-life critter counterpart.

Billing itself as the first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects, the Bug Carousel has been a staple of children’s visits to the zoo since its opening in 2005. The ride’s meant to be both fun and educational, and you can admire painted murals running along the circumference of the center pole, capturing caterpillars’ transformation into butterflies. To complete the experience, the carousel’s music was even composed with real insect sounds from the Wildlife Conservation Society.

You can see the lot of them by following this link: carousels.org/psp/BronxZoo