The Praying Mantis

The praying mantis has one of the most unusual names for an insect. How did this insect get its name? The praying mantis got its name because of the way it sits and waits for its prey. The way that the praying mantis sits makes it look like it is praying. Did you know that the praying mantis is related to the cockroach?

The praying mantis is a meat-eating insect. It eats beetles, butterflies, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, and even other praying mantises. An adult praying mantis can sometimes eat small reptiles or small hummingbirds! A praying mantis is green or tan, and its back makes it look like a leaf. This means that it is easy for the praying mantis to be camouflaged. A praying mantis also has wings. The adult is usually 3–6 inches long. Some species can get even longer.

The praying mantis is a very quick predator. It waits for the right size bug to come along and snaps its “arms” out quickly. The claws on the “arms” make it impossible for the insect to escape the praying mantis. Bats eat praying mantises. The praying mantis tends to fly more at night. This makes it a perfect target for bats.