Praying Mantises: Predators and Ambush Hunters

What are praying mantises known for?

• Being herbivores

• Being fierce hunters that eat other animals, mostly insects

• Only eating plants

• Living in water

Praying mantises are classified as ________ because they survive by eating other animals.

• carnivores

• herbivores

• omnivores

• decomposers

What do praying mantises use their strong front legs for?

• Flying

• Catching and holding onto their prey

• Digging holes

• Making webs

Praying mantises are known as ________ because they stay still and wait patiently for their prey to come close before striking with incredible speed.

• ambush hunters

• scavengers

• herbivores

• parasites

Which of the following is NOT a type of prey that praying mantises eat?

• Mosquitoes

• Grasshoppers

• Fish

• Grass

Praying mantises can help control populations of unwanted pests in gardens and farms.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Praying mantises' front legs are called ________ legs and have sharp spikes that help them trap and grip their prey while they eat.

• raptorial

• ambulatory

• cursorial

• fossorial

What does it mean when praying mantises are called "predatory"?

• They are friendly to other animals.

• They hunt and eat other animals.

• They only eat plants.

• They help protect small insects.

Why are praying mantises classified as carnivores?

• They eat mostly plants.

• They survive by eating other animals.

• They live in trees and bushes.

• They are hunted by larger animals.

What are the front legs of a praying mantis called?

• Raptorial legs

• Jumping legs

• Climbing legs

• Walking legs