Surprising Praying Mantis Facts You Probably Didn't Know!

The praying mantis is probably one of the world's deadliest insects. Even though they are harmless to humans, but it's a different story for other small creatures in the animal kingdom. The praying mantis is at the top of the insect food chain, preying on both small insects and also hunting bigger animals like birds, lizards, and fish.

Beyond their scary first impression, there’s still a lot more to know about these unique insects. Watch on to find out more surprising facts about the praying mantis in our Praying Mantis video!

0:51 The praying mantis got its name from its front legs.
1:11 Praying mantises are the only insects with stereo-vision.
1:24 The praying mantis has a weak sense of hearing.
1:42 Mantises are more common in warmer regions.
2:04 Some praying mantises can fly.
2:17 Praying mantis bites are not poisonous.
2:34 Praying mantises come in different ways of camouflage.
2:53 Most cultures associate them with stillness.
3:14 Praying mantises only live a maximum of a year.
3:25 The praying mantis life cycle has 3 stages.
3:52 Mating can be deadly for male mantises.
4:13 Females lay hundreds of praying mantis eggs in a small case.
4:27 Praying mantis eggs hatch in 3-4 weeks for smaller species.
4:37 Praying mantises often prey on birds.
5:01 A praying mantis has 5 eyes.
5:18 The flower mantis has a body that mimics orchids.
5:38 The Chinese mantis has a distinct brown slender body.
5:56 The Carolina mantis is a gardener’s best friend.
6:19 The European mantis is regarded as the archetype of a mantis.
6:41 Brown praying mantises aren't always brown.
6:51 Some praying mantises turn white.
7:09 Early civilizations believed that praying mantises had powers.
7:21 Praying mantises inspired a martial arts style.
7:41 Praying mantises only eat live prey.
7:51 A praying mantis can slash at predators.
8:08 An ancient Chinese text contains the earliest description of a praying mantis.
8:21 Praying mantises also bluff to scare away predators.
8:38 The praying mantis is most active during the day.
8:52 Praying mantises are attracted to artificial light.
9:04 Praying mantises rarely stalk prey.

Don't miss the other AMAZING facts on our website:

[coolguyponus]

I was unaware that one was literally an inch away from my face until my girlfriend told me so. When I looked over at him, he was just looking at me all curious, and kind of cute. I then started talking to the mantis and it started slanting its head at me like I was talking to a dog. It was kind of awesome. I felt a connection 😅.

[sef]

I love that when you talk to one when you find one in your garden or in your house their little eyes appear to understand your words and seem to communicate with you through them. Cool little creatures 🤗💙

[lisahawkins]

We had a female show up in our garden. We named her Agatha. Every evening when we came home, she was waiting for us. She'd jump on my hand and run up to my shoulder. We would play music and she would tap her feet to the beat and away back and forth.
This went on all summer then she was gone. We'd noticed she was deteriorating bit by bit. Aging I suppose. They have a short life span.

[isaiahkaulaity]

Recently have been finding a praying mantis on my car every night, so I decided to learn about them and that's how I ended up on this video. Haha

[jamesclukey]

The Preying mantis is very interesting. My sense of wonder is intrigued by how sometimes when we stop to look at nature, nature looks back ! I've had an interesting interaction with one when I was at work. I saw one while on patrol. It was a very windy night and a storm was coming in from the nearby lake. A Preying Mantis was on a cobblestone sidewalk so I stopped and addressed it saying, "fly away to a farmer's field little fellow. A storm is coming !" The Mantis turned it's head to look at me as I talked (very fascinating to see). I continued on my patrol around the University complex. As I neared the end of my walk something flew past my head and landed on the handle of the door I was approaching. It was the Mantis ! He turned his head to look back at me and I thanked him for accompanying me on my walk. Very unique experience !

[jameyhunt]

got a nymph today, he’s so cute and gentle, loves being handled. he’s called benedict! they’re amazing and so interesting to watch! so easy to take care of as well! loved the facts!

[ginafriend]

Praying Mantis are Awesome. Uniquely their own! Just don't take away My hummingbirds!
"Everybody was Kung fu fighting"

[victoryfirst]

I just love the praying mantis. One got stuck in my car grill and I pulled over and saved the insect. Brought it home and it is still hanging around. When I eat an apple the insect get some too. Hard to believe but the mantis eats the fruit. And I move the insect to a safer area when I mow the grass. Really a unique insect that just hangs around. Wish they would live a lot longer then they do. One of God's unique creations for us all to enjoy and keep an eye on.

[Woodstock]

Living for decades in Hawaii, I’ve encountered Praying Mantis of lots of different types and I love them. The one thing they have in common is, they all know Kung Fu. When you get close, they go into a fighting stance. I’d move my finger to the side of them and they’d follow it. Get my finger closer and they’d throw a few mock jabs. Very gentle, it seems like they are playing. Just innocent sparring. When I’d get my finger within biting range, they’d never bite. Just crawl up on my hand and go into a stance again as if protecting me now. So cool.
One time I was driving from the other side of the island and noticed a bright purple mantis on my hood. Most beautiful mantis I’d ever seen.
Afraid he’d blow off my hood and get hurt, I pulled over to the side. Reached my hand out and he climbed right on. I’m always fascinated by how fearless and friendly they are. I brought him into my truck and set him gently on the dashboard. Named him Kimo.
“Okay Kimo, you’re moving to Kaneohe. You’ll like it there. Lots of bugs.” Kimo just turned his head and looked at me like an alien dog as if he understood. We headed back home and I parked. Reached out to Kimo and he climbed on my hand again. I had the perfect spot for him next to my front door in the semi-shaded area where I had purple orchids growing in a money tree. He was almost the same color as the orchids and I let him crawl off on a branch, thinking I’d never see him again and that would be fine and normal. But Kimo wasn’t normal.
I’d just gotten off work, took a shower and came outside to sit and play my guitar and relax under the orchids. Looked for Kimo but I couldn’t see him. Part of me wanted to search for him, but the better part of me decided he’s free and safe so I won’t bother him.
I didn’t know Kimo could fly until he flew out of the orchids and landed on my shoulder. “There you are, buddy. I was worried about you. What kind of music do you like?” He started playing with my hair. Totally relaxed and having fun with his human friend. “You hungry? Let’s get you some food.” I put my guitar down and walked in the house with Kimo riding on my shoulder. Went into the cabinet and put a couple drops of maple syrup on the back of my hand. (Not for Kimo, for the flies) We walked back outside and sat down outside under the orchids and waited. Didn’t take long before flies were all over the maple syrup. Kimo went full-on Kung Fu and slowly crawled down my arm. Got in his stance and nailed a fly with lightning speed. Ate the thing starting with the head and eyes. “You’re pretty gross and ruthless, Kimo. Damn. Glad I’m not a fly near your bad ass.” I returned Kimo to the orchid tree and started to get dinner ready. My girlfriend is coming over as usual and I told her I have a new pet. She’s used to me and my fish, parrots, Jackson Chameleons I caught, so she’s like, “Oh God, Sean. What now?” I laughed. “You’ll see. His name is Kimo.”
She drove over to the house. Still plenty of daylight left so Kimo will still be awake in the orchids. I checked the smoker in the back yard and the ribs need a few more hours. Told Dawn to hang out by the orchids and I’d show her my new pet. I think Hotel California is Kimo’s favorite song so I sat down next to her and started playing that. Before she could ask me about my new pet, Kimo came flying out of the orchids and landed on my shoulder. Dawn panicked, “A huge bug just landed on you!” I nodded. “Relax. You’re scaring him. This is Kimo.”
Dawn relaxed and looked at him. “I’ve never seen a praying mantis that color. So beautiful! He looks just like the orchids here. Wow.”
“Yep, but he’s not an orchid mantis, maybe a hybrid or something. Purple, pink stripes, and green legs. I tried to look this one up and it’s not listed as a species. I’m guessing a cross between an orchid mantis and a regular green mantis because his size and color are right between both. Cool huh?”
So Kimo hung out on Dawn’s shoulder until the sun went down and he decided it was bedtime. Flew into the orchids, his new home, and we had dinner.
Kimo lived with us for about a year in the orchids, visiting us and playing with us whenever he saw us. Coolest praying mantis ever.
Not sure how long they live, but he just disappeared one day and I’ll never forget Kimo. He was a good bug.

[whatthedeuce]

"Some species growing up to 6"?" I have seen one that was 8" from end to end. It was caught wild in Southern California (Canoga Park). It was put into a large (3 LB.) coffee can, and touched both bottom and top at the same time. It was the largest one I ever saw. Iwas about 8 years old then. Now I am 65.

[GoldenAgeMuse]

My cat showed up with a giant Praying Mantis (over 6”) in his mouth. When I got Jackie Boy to let me have it, the damn thing bit me I put him in a tree then bitched the Mantis out, eyeball to eyeball. The next morning I’m sitting in the back yard with my Coffee and the Mantis flew by my face landing on a trunk of a tree and then making sure I was watching began the shuck and dive dance in Gratidude. Love these creatures.

[ClaudiaRPost]

I love the way they swivel their heads to watch you. It’s cute.

[orleansartist]

They can learn to recognize an individual. They make great pets.

[lisanidog]

What a beautiful insect. I'm fascinated by their eyes.

[Cuccos]

Praying mantises are very facinating and actually - for me - beautiful creaturs.

[nct]

Isn't it cute how they wash their face daintily like cats do

[teejay]

Saw one on my mail route today. Had to go to a customer's door for a signature and he was chillin on the screen. I decided to call the customer from the front lawn and not disturb it so we could both gawk at its awesomeness. He was kind enough to let me take pics of it. Probably 3 to 4 inches in length. Don't remember when I saw one last.

[jerrypolverino]

i love these guys. They are smart and friendly. Put one on your hand and talk to it in a high pitched voice. It will look at you and listen.

[basicwhitemillennialstraig]

I had a pet mantis that lived tree years. guess I did a good job caring for her.

[fredrichenning]

You missed an important one. A praying mantis can tilt, bob and rotate its head like a human being. It's the ONLY insect that can do this.