Praying Mantis ( Mantodea )

Praying Mantis .... or Mantodea!
Have you ever heard of a religious insect? No? Well,  there's always the praying mantis. But the fact is, these seemingly innocent creatures are far from religious ... In fact, they're cold blooded killers! Though it seems impossible, a mantis is a predatory creature. Never underestimate small, delicate looking things. The praying mantis will eat anything small enough to be captured and eaten by it. The mantis' ways of disguise make other creatures vulnerable, as it can blend easily into scenery as a leaf. Though most food is bug based, some larger species have been known to eat small rodents and reptiles.

The mantis' legs have little spikes on them that allow them to catch prey and climb trees more easily.  These are called raptorial legs. The mantis' head is very flexible, and allows 300 degree turns in some species. This can help it see if anything is coming. Mantis' can be found almost anywhere, even around here in NH. Their mating season is typically in Autumn, and the female lays from 10 to 400 eggs. The eggs are born into a small cocoon, and despite the durability of the eggs, they are usually eaten by parasitic wasps. In only a few species does the mother guard her eggs.The mantis' typical lifespan lasts about only a year in the wild, but in captivity, can last up to 14 months.