Fun Facts About Praying Mantis
These fascinating insects captivate us with their namesake pose. Explore these fun facts about praying mantis to learn all about them!
Basic Facts About Praying Mantis
Praying mantis are insects with long, thin bodies and triangular heads.
They have flexible necks and long forelimbs that they use to capture prey.
Like other insects, they have six legs. Unlike other insects, they typically stand upright on their two sets of rear legs.
Praying mantis live in temperate and tropical regions in North America, Africa, and Asia.
Now that you know some basic facts about praying mantis, let’s explore some fun facts about praying mantis.
10 Fun Facts About Praying Mantis
These praying mantis fun facts will not only educate you; they will astound you!
Praying Mantis Has Three Plural Forms
What is the plural of “praying mantis”?
The answer is complicated!
The word mantis is Greek. It means “prophet.” The name is no doubt inspired by the insect’s praying posture.
Like other Greek words, the plural of mantis should be “mantes” (pronounced man-teez).
However, two other plural options are considered correct: “mantises” and “mantis.”
Knowing the plural form is important because there are many praying mantis in the world.
There are over 2400 species of mantis, most of which are found in Asia. There are 20 species of mantis in the US.
Praying Mantis Have Cockroach Cousins
Because praying mantis are long and thin, most people assume they are closely related to stick insects.
This is not the case. The closest insect relatives to the praying mantis are cockroaches and termites.
Praying Mantis Ambush Their Prey
Praying mantis are ambush predators, which means they wait for their prey to approach them and then snatch them up.
They use their powerful forelimbs to clutch their prey and pin it down.
Praying mantis eat smaller insects like flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles.
Larger praying mantis have been known to capture small reptiles like snakes and lizards. Some can eat small birds.
Some Praying Mantis Look Metallic
With over 2400 species of praying mantis, you may not be surprised to discover they come in all colors.
Typically, their coloring helps them blend in with their particular environment (so they can surprise their prey).
Most praying mantis are green, gray, tan, or brown.
Some are patterned to match bark or vegetation.
One type of praying mantis stands out among the others.
The Iridescent bark mantis has the scientific name Metallyticus splendidus.
The males are blue-violet, and the females are golden-green.
You can find them in Southeast Asia.
Some Praying Mantis Are Omnivores
While the vast majority of praying mantis are carnivores (meaning they eat other animals), some tropical praying mantis are omnivores (they eat both plants and animals).
These tropical mantis (such as the orchid mantis) eat pollen and nectar from tropical flowers.
The pollen provides essential nutrients to the mantis and supplements its diet.
Praying Mantis May Have Elaborate Camouflage
Since praying mantis rely on the ability to surprise their prey, they may have intricate camouflage to blend in with their environment.
The orchid mantis sits atop an orchid and almost exactly resembles the flower.
Unsuspecting insects are drawn to the sight and scent of the flower, and then the camouflaged mantis snaps them up!
Other types of mantis mimic leaves, twigs, and bark.
Some mantis change their color over the course of a season to better blend in with the changing colors in the environment.
Ancient Peoples Thought the Praying Mantis Had Supernatural Powers
In Ancient Egypt, one of their gods was in the shape of a praying mantis. The god Abyt guided souls to the afterlife.
In Ancient Greece, people believed that seeing a praying mantis meant that prosperity would come.
It was also a Grecian travel guide; they believed a praying mantis signaled the correct course.
In China, ancient people believed that if you observed a praying mantis for a long time, you would grow in patience and bravery.
Praying Mantis Have Binocular Vision
Since praying mantis rely on their vision to hunt, it is no wonder they have an excellent sense of sight.
Their binocular vision means that both eyes can focus on the same object simultaneously (like us!)
They are the only insects with this ability, and this gives them excellent depth perception (which is why they are so good at catching flying insects).
They can also rotate their heads 180 degrees to scan their environment for prey.
Praying Mantis “Wash Their Hands” After Eating
Praying mantis don’t have hands, but they have forelimbs that they clean after capturing prey.
They meticulously rub the spines on their forelimbs to remove any insect matter. This way, they are ready for their next hunt!
Contrary to popular belief, praying mantis are not venomous. They capture their prey through strength, speed, and surprise.
Praying Mantis Are Common Pets
Of all the types of insects, praying mantis are one of the most common pets in the US, UK, and the Netherlands.
Praying mantis only live for about a year, so most people who keep them as pets also breed them.
Mantis are not social insects, so each one needs its own tank.
The tank cannot be too large, or the mantis will have trouble finding its prey. You must feed your pet mantis live insects.
If your praying mantis stops eating for a few days, don’t panic. They are likely getting ready to molt.
When the mantis molts, it sheds its exoskeleton to grow larger. This happens an average of ten times over its life.
Books About Praying Mantis
If you enjoyed these fun facts about praying mantis, you can learn even more by checking out these books.
Fun Facts About Praying Mantis
Are you a kid who wants to learn about praying mantis so you can keep one as a pet? This book is for you!
Praying Mantis Ultimate Care Guide
This book contains everything you need to know to keep a praying mantis as a pet.
Praying Mantis Vs. Black Widow Spider
Both creatures have special features. Learn about each one and then read an imagined account of a head to head battle.
Praying Mantis Fun Facts
These fun facts about the praying mantis prove that this insect is more fascinating than it appears.
Fall in love with the praying mantis and consider keeping one as a pet!
