# Carolina Mantis (*Stagmomantis carolina*) The Carolina Mantis is a cool insect known for its long body and big eyes. It can be green or brown and loves to hang out in gardens, waiting to catch its food! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 33 - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Carolina Mantis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Praying_Mantis_-_Carolina_mantis_%28Stagmomantis_carolina%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Matthew T Rader, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Praying_Mantis_-_Carolina_mantis_%28Stagmomantis_carolina%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Carolina Mantis is typically brown, grey, or green, often mottled for camouflage. It has a slender body, a triangular head with large eyes, and powerful, spiny forelegs held in a 'praying' position. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Mantodea - **Family:** Mantidae - **Genus:** Stagmomantis ## Interesting facts - Mantises have a single ear located on their underside, between their legs! - Some cultures believed mantises could show you the way home if you were lost! - Their eyes have an optical illusion, making them appear to stare at you! - These amazing hunters will even tackle small frogs or lizards! ## Special abilities - **Lightning Grab:** Has powerful, spiny forelegs that can snap shut incredibly fast, allowing them to snatch unsuspecting insects mid-flight. - **Head Twister:** Can rotate its head almost 300 degrees without moving its body, helping them scan for prey and predators from all angles. - **Egg Fortress:** Lays eggs in a protective, foamy case called an ootheca, which hardens to shield young from harsh weather and predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-70 mm - **Size:** 30-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 150-200 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These fierce hunters mostly eat other insects, using their quick front legs. - **Age differences:** Young mantises eat tiny insects, growing to catch larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** flies, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, bees - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Carolina Mantis catches flies with its quick reflexes. - **Hunts:** [Fall Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fall-field-cricket) (*Gryllus pennsylvanicus*) — Crickets are a common meal for mantises in meadows. - **Eaten by:** Carolina Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Lizards may prey on mantises, especially younger ones. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds will sometimes eat adult mantises in gardens. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don't touch! Some insects can bite or sting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carolina Mantis? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Carolina Mantis's wingspan? 50-70 mm ### How big is Carolina Mantis? 30-60 mm ### How long does Carolina Mantis live? 150-200 days ### How fast can Carolina Mantis fly? 8 km/h ### What does Carolina Mantis eat? These fierce hunters mostly eat other insects, using their quick front legs. ### Where is Carolina Mantis usually found? Gardens ### How does Carolina Mantis hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Ashley River Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashley-river-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see Carolina Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carolina-mantis) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Carolina Mantis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-mantis)