{"id":11623,"date":"2022-07-23T10:39:27","date_gmt":"2022-07-23T15:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?page_id=11623"},"modified":"2023-10-31T14:51:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T19:51:02","slug":"praying-mantis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/praying-mantis\/","title":{"rendered":"Praying Mantis: Key Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that praying mantises are apex predators of the insect world? Or that there are many exotic species of praying mantis found throughout the world? Keep reading to learn more about these and other praying mantis key facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Facts About Praying Mantises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/td>Mantidae<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Type of Animal:<\/strong><\/td>Insect<\/td><\/tr>
Number of Species:<\/strong><\/td>About 2,300<\/td><\/tr>
Physical Description:<\/strong><\/td>Long, slender insects, usually in shades of green, brown, or gray. They have large eyes and triangular heads which can turn and swivel. Their modified forelegs are large and covered in spikes to assist them with hunting; they capture and hold insects with these front legs. Young praying mantises look like miniature versions of the adults. The adults of some species have wings and can fly short distances.<\/td><\/tr>
Distribution:<\/strong><\/td>Found throughout parts of Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.<\/td><\/tr>
Habitat:<\/strong><\/td>Most species live in warm, tropical habitats, though some live in temperate environments as well. They prefer to live in forests and grasslands.<\/td><\/tr>
Size:<\/strong><\/td>Depends on species; anywhere from 0.5 to 12 inches long. Most range from 2 to 6 inches.<\/td><\/tr>
Diet:<\/strong><\/td>Opportunistic carnivores; diet can include:
– Insects
– Small birds (e.g. hummingbirds<\/a>)
– Frogs and lizards
– Fish
– Small mammals<\/td><\/tr>
Life Span:<\/strong><\/td>About one year<\/td><\/tr>
Life Stages:<\/strong><\/td>Three:
– Egg
– Nymph
– Adult<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Many Species of Praying Mantis Are There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many different kinds of praying mantis found throughout the world. Only a few species are found in the United States, so you might be surprised to learn just how many types there actually are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total number of praying mantis species is thought to be around 2,300. These different species vary greatly in size and appearance, ranging from less than an inch up to 12 inches and taking on some exotic colors including black and pink.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praying mantises are not native to the U.S. but were brought here most likely by egg sacs that were laid on imported goods. Five species of praying mantis are found in the U.S., and of these, most people are only familiar with two of them: the Chinese mantis and the Carolina mantis. Contrary to some information you may have heard, they are not protected<\/a> by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video of some unique-looking species of praying mantis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1Rc8NOIKmC0<\/a>