Meet Manny
Senses
Praying mantids, with their huge compound eyes mounted on the triangular head, have a large field of vision. They use sight for detection movement of prey and turn their mobile head to bring their prey into their binocular field of view. They are able to turn their head 180 degrees for excellent vision and hearing. Their antennae are used for smell.
Habitat
Praying mantids can be found in all parts of the world with mild winters and sufficient vegetation. Praying mantids will spend most of their time in a garden, in the forest, or in another vegetated area.
Defense mechanisms
Praying mantis, when threatened, stand tall and spread their forelegs with their wings fanning out wide. The fanning of the wings is used to make the mantis seem larger and to scare the opponent.
Since praying mantids feed during the day, they do a considerable amount of flying by night. The night, however, is when bats feed, using ultrasonic sound waves to pinpoint their prey. The frequency of these sound waves indicates the location and distance of the bat's prey. Praying mantids are able to hear these ultrasonic sounds and when the frequency begins to increase rapidly, indicating an approaching bat; mantids will stop flying horizontally and begin a direct, high speed nose dive towards the safety of the ground. Often this descent will be preceded by an aerial loop or spin. Other times, the entire descent will consist of a downward spiral. All though these creatures seem a threat, a praying mantis will turn the tables as adult and eat its predators as prey.
Pest control
Praying mantids are considered one of the best forms of natural control of small insects in gardens. This is because mantids are indiscriminate predators, and often feed on the small insects that are natural, and more efficient, predators of the insects that can take a heavy toll on plant life (beetles, caterpillars, etc.).
Gardeners will often search for ootheca and carefully move them while still connected to their holding structure and place them in the refrigerator to prevent premature hatching. The ootheca will keep the unborn nymphs alive in the refrigerator until the spring arrives and they are ready to hatch. This allows for the mantis nymphs to be born in the garden and spend their lives protecting the plants from insects that may harm the vegetation.
Lifespan
The natural lifespan of a praying mantis is about two years. In colder areas, mantids will die during the winter. In captivity, if kept correctly, and in warmer areas in the wild, mantids can live up to three years.
Pets
An average-sized insect container or fish tank will make a suitable home. They require branches to climb on, insects to hunt, and water to drink. They will drink sprayed water out of a bottle and eat crickets, widely available in pet stores. Hatchlings should ideally be fed on a diet of fruit flies.
‘Manny’
A Beautiful Gift from God and neighbour on this Earth