The Praying Mantis is comprised of 3 distinct body regions – the moveable triangular head, thorax and abdomen.  What looks like the neck is really the elongated thorax.

But the characteristic that makes the Praying Mantis so interesting is its bent and prominent front legs, held together as if in prayer.  This is where the Praying Mantis gets its name.  Some mispronounce the Praying Mantis Preying Mantis,  and here’s why…

There are a few YIKES! about those front praying legs.  First, the Praying Mantis lies in wait, stalking prey in the praying position with careful intensity.  Second, the legs are super-strong graspers with natural spikes for holding and pinning prey. Third, the legs move so quickly in grabbing prey that the legs cannot be seen with the naked eye.  Last, the Praying Mantis is a major predator, using its strong legs to capture flies, grasshoppers, moths, crickets and even other Praying Mantises.

Yes, Praying Mantises prey upon and eat each other, too.

Do you see why some think the Praying Mantis is a Preying Mantis?

Another YIKES! about the Praying Mantis is its ability to turn its head in a 180 degree range.  This little trick gives the Praying Mantis a way to scan its surroundings as it waits for prey.  The Praying Mantis also has 5 eyes… 2 large compound ones and 3 simple ones located between them.

The Praying Mantis is wonderfully camouflaged, colored in greens and browns, making it difficult to see it in its natural environment.

Let your kids and grandkids in on the interesting tidbits and YIKES! of the Praying Mantis.  You may wish to research the Praying Mantis’s place in folklore.  There is one myth that a Praying Mantis will point a lost child home, and other that it brings good luck to anyone it lands on.  Certainly the praying legs play a big part in some of these myths.

Have fun with the Praying (or Preying) Mantis!

Join me here each day in June for JUNE BUGS on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! A little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! go a long, long way.