Fun Facts about the Praying Mantis

Want to learn more about the marvelous mantis? Here are some fun facts about these fascinating invertebrates. 

• There are around 1,800 species of mantids around the world.
• They got their name from the way they hold their front legs in a "praying" position. 
• They are voracious predators, mostly eating other invertebrates, and they also consume their own kind. 
• All species of praying mantises are cannibalistic and a large percentage of praying mantis matings result in cannibalism.  
• They are ambush hunters, hiding in bushes to surprise their prey.
• They can turn their heads 180 degrees and have two large compound eyes, with three simple eyes between them.
• Females lay hundreds of eggs in a case called an "ootheca".
• Baby mantises are called "Nymphs".
• Praying mantises clean their forelegs after they eat.
• The average lifespan of a Praying Mantis is around 1 year. 
• Praying mantises only have one ear and it's located in the center of their thorax, they're the only animal known to have just one ear!