Mantises, Mantes, Mantids or whatever term you prefer to use for their plural form, are among the most fascinating and at the same time scariest insects in the world.The 2,300 species of praying mantises comprise an order of insects called Mantodea.The word ‘mantis’ is Greek, and means prophet or fortune teller. Praying prophet? Very appropriate. Mantids so often look like they know something we don’t.

Photo by: Lawraa

Mantids can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.Praying mantids’ excellent eyesight allows some to see movement up to 60 feet (18 meters) away.
Typically green or brown and well camouflaged on the plants among which they live, mantis lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.

Photo by: macropoulos

Moths, crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and other insects are usually the unfortunate recipients of unwanted mantid attention. However, the insects will also eat others of their own kind. The most famous example of this is the notorious mating behavior of the adult female, who sometimes eats her mate just after—or even during—mating. Yet this behavior seems not to deter males from reproduction.(Check out this funny comic about their cannibalistic behavior)

Watch how the cruel female eats the male during their deadly intercourse:

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And finally here are some more interesting Mantis photos taken by wonderful flickr users:

Photo by: victorgil84

Photo by: Joel Junior

Photo by: Nitsirk Eel

Photo by: Dermal Denticles

Photo by: Thor Hakonsen

Photo by: macro junkie

Photo by: Dixie Native

Photo by: Thor Hakonsen

Photo by: Techuser

Photo by: MafrMcfa

Photo by: limonium64

Photo by: Coder

Photo by: ettan ettan

Photo by: sublimedart

Photo by: Rascaille Rabbit