# Praying Mantis (*Mantis religiosa*)

> The praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a predatory insect named for the way it holds its spined front legs folded as if in prayer. It is a patient ambush hunter of gardens, meadows, and shrubland, seizing insects and other small prey with a lightning strike. Most are 5 to 15 cm long, and adults typically live for about a year. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

- **Category:** Insect
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Warm and temperate regions worldwide, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, with species introduced to North America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/praying-mantis/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Mantodea
- **Family:** Mantidae

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Mantis religiosa |
| Diet | Carnivore (insects and other small prey) |
| Habitat | Gardens, meadows, shrubs, woodlands |
| Lifespan | Up to about 1 year |
| Size | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) depending on species |
| Vision | Can rotate head nearly 180° |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## The ambush predator

A praying mantis hunts by stillness rather than pursuit, waiting motionless until prey wanders within reach. Its raptorial front legs are lined with sharp spines and snap shut in around a tenth of a second, far faster than the eye can follow, pinning the victim securely. Mantises eat insects such as flies, moths, crickets, and grasshoppers, and larger species will tackle spiders, small lizards, or even hummingbirds. They usually begin feeding while the prey is still alive, holding it firmly in those folded arms.

## Extraordinary eyesight

The mantis has large compound eyes set on a triangular head that it can swivel nearly 180 degrees, giving it a wide field of view unmatched among insects. It is the only insect known to have true stereoscopic vision, judging distance with both eyes at once, much as humans do. This depth perception is what makes its ambush strikes so precise. A dark false pupil seems to follow an observer around, a trick of the eye's structure rather than a moving pupil.

## Camouflage and defence

Mantises are masters of disguise, with bodies shaped and coloured to blend into leaves, grass, bark, or flowers. Some tropical species mimic blossoms so closely that they lure pollinating insects straight into their grasp. This camouflage hides the mantis from both prey and its own predators, which include birds, bats, and spiders. When discovered, a cornered mantis may rear up, spread its front legs, and flash bright colours to appear larger and more threatening.

## Mating and sexual cannibalism

Praying mantises are infamous for sexual cannibalism, in which the female sometimes eats the male during or after mating. This does not happen every time, but where it does the meal can boost the number and health of her eggs. After mating the female lays her eggs in a frothy case called an ootheca, which hardens to protect them through winter. A single case can hold dozens to hundreds of eggs.

## Life cycle and lifespan

Young mantises, called nymphs, hatch in spring as miniature versions of the adults and immediately begin hunting small insects. They grow through a series of moults, shedding their exoskeleton several times before reaching full size and gaining wings as adults. The whole life cycle is short, and most mantises live for only about a year, with adults dying off after the breeding season as the weather turns cold. In colder climates it is the egg case, not the adult, that survives the winter.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is it called a praying mantis?

The name comes from the way the insect holds its spined front legs folded together beneath its head, a posture that looks like hands clasped in prayer. Those same legs are actually its hunting weapons, used to snatch prey.

### What do praying mantises eat?

Praying mantises are carnivores that eat mainly insects such as flies, moths, crickets, and grasshoppers. Larger species also take spiders, small lizards, frogs, and occasionally hummingbirds, seizing them with a rapid strike of their front legs.

### Do female praying mantises eat the males?

Sometimes. Females may eat males during or after mating, a behaviour called sexual cannibalism, though it does not happen every time. When it does, the extra nutrition can increase the number and quality of the eggs she produces.

### How long do praying mantises live?

Most praying mantises live for about a year. They hatch in spring, grow through several moults over the summer, breed in late summer or autumn, and the adults die as winter arrives, leaving egg cases to carry on the next generation.

### Can a praying mantis hurt you?

Not really. Praying mantises are harmless to people, with no venom and no sting. A large one might deliver a mild pinch with its spined front legs if handled roughly, but it cannot cause any real injury.

### How big do praying mantises get?

Depending on the species, praying mantises measure from about 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) long. Females are generally larger and bulkier than males, which are more slender and better fliers.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Mantis religiosa.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Mantis%20religiosa&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Mantis religiosa. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mantis_religiosa/)
- [Wikipedia — Praying Mantis.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_mantis)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/praying-mantis/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.