# European Mantis (*Mantis religiosa*) The European Mantis is a green insect known for its unique shape and big eyes. It loves to sit quietly and wait for its food, which is usually other insects. They are fun to watch as they move their heads to look around! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 39 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![European Mantis](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426182/objects/814.jpg) ## Appearance The European Mantis has an elongated body, often green or brown, perfectly camouflaged among plants. It features a distinctive triangular head with large eyes and powerful, spiky forelegs held in a 'praying' position. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Mantodea - **Family:** Mantidae - **Genus:** Mantis ## Interesting facts - Despite their fierce look, mantises are harmless to humans and even eat garden pests! - Mantis means 'prophet' in Greek, referring to its prayer-like posture! - Some people keep mantises as pets because they are so fascinating to watch! - They lay their eggs in a foamy case called an ootheca, which hardens to protect them. ## Special abilities - **Master of Stealth:** European Mantis can blend seamlessly into its surroundings because of its amazing camouflage, helping them ambush unsuspecting prey. - **Lightning Strike:** European Mantis can snap its spiky forelegs shut in a blink because of specialized muscles, helping them catch fast-moving insects. - **Swiveling Scope:** European Mantis can rotate its triangular head 180 degrees that helps them scan for danger and prey without moving their body. - **3D Vision:** European Mantis has excellent depth perception that helps them judge distances precisely before launching a surprise attack. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 40-75 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This skilled hunter eats many kinds of insects and small creatures in a flash! - **Primary Foods:** flies, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, small spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** common house fly (*Musca domestica*) — a common source of food for the mantis - **Hunts:** [European field cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — a frequently caught insect by adult mantises - **Hunts:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — sometimes catches these pollinators with its quick strike - **Eaten by:** [red-backed shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-backed-shrike) (*Lanius collurio*) — these predatory birds can hunt adult mantises ## 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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch insects without asking an adult, as some might bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European 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 European Mantis's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is European Mantis? 40-75 mm ### How long does European Mantis live? 180-365 days ### What does European Mantis eat? This skilled hunter eats many kinds of insects and small creatures in a flash! ### Where is European Mantis usually found? Grasslands ### How does European Mantis hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does European Mantis have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Onondaga Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/onondaga-lake-park) — New York, US · Park - [Zoo de Castellar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-castellar) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Appleton Farms](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/appleton-farms) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Arcata Community Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arcata-community-forest) — California, US · Forest - [Bradford Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bradford-downtown-historic-district) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic District - [Chenango County Courthouse District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chenango-county-courthouse-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see European Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-mantis) ## Watch - [Play video: European Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/videos/european-mantis) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=4_nI6k1xS1o) ## 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: [European Mantis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-mantis)