Praying mantises get their name from their distinctive “praying” posture, where they hold their forelegs together as if in prayer.They have two large compound eyes and three simple eyes, giving them excellent vision and the ability to detect movement up to 60 feet away. Mantise canrotate their triangular heads 180 degrees, allowing them to survey their surroundings Nature:They are carnivorous and primarily eat other insects, but larger species may catch small birds, lizards, or even frogs. Praying mantises are masters of camouflage and often wait motionless for prey to come close before striking with their lightning speed: Female mantises are infamous for sometimes eating males during or after mating, though this behavior is less common in the wild than in captivity.Females lay eggs in a foam-like substance that hardens into a protective case. Each ootheca can contain dozens or even hundred:Nymphs hatch from the ootheca and look like tiny versions of adult mantises. They molt multiple times before reaching maturity. Praying mantises are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 2,400 species worldwide. Camouflage Experts: They blend into their environments, often mimicking leaves, flowers, or even sticks to avoid predators and ambush prey.