Mantodea

Chaeteessidae

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Metallyticidae

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Mantoididae

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Amorphoscelidae

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Eremiaphilidae

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Hymenopodidae

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Mantidae

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Empusidae

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The order Mantodea (or Praying mantis) consists of between 1,800 and 2,000 species, of which a majority are in Mantidae.

Related Topics:
Praying mantis - Mantidae

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Mantids are notable for their large size and nimble reflexes. Their diet usually consists of living insects, including flies and aphids; larger species have been known to prey on small lizards, frogs, birds and even rodents. A mantid's prey is caught and held securely with its grasping forelegs.

Related Topics:
Diet - Flies - Aphid - Lizard - Frog - Bird - Rodent

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Mantids are masters of camouflage and make use of protective coloration to blend in with the foliage, both to avoid predators themselves, and to better snare their victims. Some species in Africa and Australia are able to turn black within a few days of a fire in the region to blend in with the fire ravaged landscape. In addition to this adaptation, they have adapted to not only blend with the foliage, but to mimic it, appearing as leaves, blades of grass or even stones.

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