Praying Mantis | Identification, Habitat, Facts & Diet
The mantis is a large insect of the order Mantodea. It is called a “praying mantis” because it often stands in a posture that looks like it is praying. There are different types of praying mantises. They are often named after different regions of the world (such as the Carolina Mantis, the European Mantis, and the Chinese Mantis), but many species can be found around the world.
How Big is a Praying Mantis?
These species vary in size. For example, the Carolina Mantis will be about 2 inches long, while the Chinese Mantis can be up to 5 inches long.
What does Praying Mantis look like?
Mantises have a head, thorax, and abdomen like all insects. He has big eyes on the sides of his head and he can rotate his head 360 degrees. This allows the mantis to see very clearly. The mantis also has two antennae on its head that are used for navigation.
As an adult, the mantis will have wings and be able to fly. He has six legs. The four hind legs are mainly used for walking, while the front legs have sharp spines that help the mantis catch and hold its prey.
Does it have Camouflage?
Mantises use camouflage to hide from predators and sneak into their prey. Different species vary in color from dark brown to green. These colors allow them to blend into their natural environment, such as tree bark or green leaves. They can also stand very still to appear as part of a leaf or plant.
What do Praying Mantids Eat?
Mantises are carnivorous insects. This means that he lives on other animals and not on plants. It mainly lives on other insects such as flies and crickets, but some larger mantises can sometimes catch and eat a small reptile or bird.
How long will a Praying Mantis Live?
Mantis usually live from spring to autumn. The longest lifespan of a mantis is about 1 year. One of the strangest things about this insect is that the female usually eats the male and the siblings often cannibalize each other.
Are Praying Mantis endangered?
Most mantis species are not endangered, and many are kept as pets. They are also good to have in your garden as they will eat other insects.
Interesting Facts about the Praying Mantis
Predators include frogs, rodents, birds, and bats.
Although they usually sit still and appear slow, they are extremely agile when moving to attack their prey.
There are more than 2,000 species of praying mantises. About twenty species live in North America.