# Chinese Mantis (*Tenodera sinensis*) The Chinese Mantis is a cool bug that can be green or brown. They are great at catching other insects with their long arms and can even turn their heads to look around! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 40 - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Asian Mantis, Tenodera sinensis ![Chinese Mantis](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425911/objects/436.jpg) ## Appearance The Chinese Mantis is a large, elongated insect that can be bright green, brown, or tan, allowing it to blend into foliage. It has a distinctive triangular head with large eyes and powerful, spiny forelegs held in a prayer-like position. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Mantodea - **Family:** Mantidae - **Genus:** Tenodera ## Interesting facts - A female mantis can lay hundreds of eggs in a foamy, protective case called an ootheca! - Sometimes, the female mantis eats the male after mating for a nutrient boost! - They only have one ear, located on their belly, which helps them detect bats! - This mantis is not native to North America but was brought there accidentally in the late 1800s! ## Special abilities - **Stealth Master:** Chinese Mantises can perfectly match the color of plants, helping them become invisible ambush predators. - **Lightning Grab:** The Chinese Mantis has super-fast, spiky forelegs that snap shut in a blink to catch unsuspecting prey. - **Head Spinner:** Chinese Mantises can turn their heads almost all the way around to spot prey without moving their body. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 90-240 mm - **Size:** 60-120 mm - **Lifespan:** 150-240 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These hungry insect hunters eat many different small animals, especially other insects! - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Flies, Moths, Bees - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — a common food source - **Hunts:** American Grasshopper (*Schistocerca americana*) — a large insect prey - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — a common bird predator - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — a nocturnal mammal predator ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and don't touch them unless an adult says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Chinese 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 Chinese Mantis's wingspan? 90-240 mm ### How big is Chinese Mantis? 60-120 mm ### How long does Chinese Mantis live? 150-240 days ### What does Chinese Mantis eat? These hungry insect hunters eat many different small animals, especially other insects! ### Where is Chinese Mantis usually found? Gardens ### How does Chinese Mantis hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Chinese Mantis have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park - [Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-valley-arboretum-and-botanic-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Forest Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forest-hill-park) — Ohio, US · Park - [Harriman Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harriman-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Kentucky Horse Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-horse-park) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Chinese Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/chinese-mantis) ## Watch - [Play video: Chinese Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/videos/chinese-mantis) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/rejected_by_user) ## 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: [Chinese Mantis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinese-mantis)