Praying Mantis Coloring Sheet

---

---

Learning about Praying Mantises is made possible by: Are you looking for a simple way to bring the Bible into your everyday life? The Flourish Family Bible Curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse is here to help! And make math simple and effective with CTCMath for grades k-12.

---

Praying Mantis Facts

Have you ever seen an insect that looks like it’s praying? With folded front legs and a thoughtful pose, the praying mantis seems to be deep in prayer. But is it actually praying—or is there something else going on?

Let’s explore some fascinating praying mantis facts and uncover the truth behind this unique insect’s pose!

What Is a Praying Mantis?

If you’ve seen a praying mantis, you probably noticed its strange body shape—long legs, antennae, and a triangular head with big eyes.

The praying mantis belongs to a group of insects called Mantodea. Mantodea insects have:

• Long bodies
• Folded front legs
• Triangle-shaped heads

One common type we see is called Mantis religiosa—named because its folded legs look like hands folded in prayer!

Is the Praying Mantis Really Praying?

While the praying mantis looks like it’s praying, it isn’t. Humans often fold their hands to show respect, trust, and focus during prayer. But praying mantises fold their legs for a completely different reason: hunting!

How Does a Praying Mantis Hunt?

A praying mantis is a powerful ambush predator, meaning it stays very still and waits quietly to quickly grab its prey.

Here’s how they hunt so effectively:

• Camouflage: Many blend in with their surroundings including leaves or branches.
• Patience: They stay still and wait patiently for prey to get close.
• Incredible Vision: With large compound eyes made of thousands of tiny lenses, a mantis can spot even small movements.
• Raptorial Forelegs: Their folded legs have sharp spikes and quickly reach out to catch prey.

A mantis can catch insects, and even small frogs, mice, and hummingbirds with these skills!

Do Female Praying Mantises Eat Their Mates?

You may have heard that female praying mantises eat their mates—and yes, sometimes they do! But let’s clear up a few things:

• It doesn’t always happen—it’s more common in captivity.
• Mantises aren’t married or in love—they’re just focused on laying eggs.
• The female may eat the male for energy, helping her produce strong eggs.

It might seem strange, but nature can be unusual, especially since sin’s curse has made things in the natural world different from how God originally designed them.

How Does Creation Worship God?

Although praying mantises aren’t actually praying, they do worship God in another way—by showing His creativity and design.

God created humans in His image, uniquely able to have a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27). Animals don’t have souls like we do, but they still bring glory to God by reflecting His amazing designs.

Consider what Job 12:7-10 says:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.
Speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish of the sea tell you.
Every one of these knows
    that the hand of the Lord has done this.
The life of every creature
    and the breath of all people are in God’s hand.”

All creation points back to God, and when we see creatures like the praying mantis, it should fill us with wonder and worship for our incredible Creator.