Praying Mantis
ExploreInsects
Praying Mantis
Gryllus religiosus
Praying Mantises are cool insects that look like they are always praying! They are expert hunters and can turn their heads to look around.
Habitat: Gardens and forests
Appearance
The Praying Mantis has a distinctive triangular head with large eyes and a long, slender body, often green or brown. Its most unique feature is its pair of large, spiky front legs held in a "praying" position.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderMantodeaFamilyMantidaeGenusMantis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Some mantises are so tiny they fit on your fingernail.
Their ears are on their belly, between their legs!
They can see in 3D, just like humans do.
They sometimes eat their mates after breeding!
Special abilities
Ability
Master of Disguise
Praying Mantis has incredible camouflage that helps them blend perfectly with plants, making them nearly invisible.
Ability
Swiveling Sight
Praying Mantis can rotate its triangular head almost 180 degrees, allowing them to spot prey without moving.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 80-100 mm
- Size
- 50-90 mm
- Lifespan
- 150-200 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
A fierce hunter, the Praying Mantis eats many different insects to survive.
Age differences: Young mantises eat smaller insects like aphids; adults take on larger prey.
Primary Foods
- flies
- crickets
- moths
- grasshoppers
- bees
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
House Fly
Musca domestica
Common insect prey for mantises.
hunts
Meadow Grasshopper
Chorthippus parallelus
A frequently caught meal for mantises.
hunts
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Often caught at flowers by mantises.
eaten by
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula
Birds can prey on mantises.
eaten by
Common Wall Lizard
Podarcis muralis
Lizards are known predators.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Ambush Predator
An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Also known as
MantisPraying Mantis Shrimp
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Praying Mantis's wingspan?
80-100 mm
How big is Praying Mantis?
50-90 mm
How long does Praying Mantis live?
150-200 days
What does Praying Mantis eat?
A fierce hunter, the Praying Mantis eats many different insects to survive.
Where is Praying Mantis usually found?
Gardens and forests
How does Praying Mantis hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does Praying Mantis have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
