European mantis
Mantis religiosa
CommonPhoto: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
Insectcarnivore
The praying mantis is a stealthy insect known for its prayer-like front legs. Found across warm regions, it turns its triangular head like no other insect to spot prey with huge eyes. Those hooked front legs snap shut faster than you can blink to catch other insects mid-air.
- Can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees to scan for prey.
- Front legs fold like jackknives to trap insects instantly.
- Both males and females have two pairs of wings.
GrasslandForestUrbanEuropeAsiaNorth America
Read more on WikipediaAt a glance
- Classification
- Insect
- Scientific name
- Mantis religiosa
- Habitat
- Grassland, Forest, Urban
- Regions in this directory
- Europe, Asia, North America
- Diet
- carnivore
- Relative size
- large
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (LC)
