The praying mantis is both a master of camouflage and a master of ambush. These quiet insects wait patiently for their next meal, often blending in completely with surrounding flowers or leaves. Their long, spiny forelegs are strong and able to grab prey quickly and hold on to it. If you've found a praying mantis, they are not difficult to catch, but use caution. Their spiny legs can poke and cause slight pain to fingers and hands, although they do not bite humans.
Instructions
1
Mantids of the United States may be brown or green for camouflage.
Search for a mantis, if you haven't found one already. Look among flowering shrubs and woody plants. This may take time, as they camouflage well and do not move much due to being ambush predators.
2
Pick up the mantis between the first and second pair of legs.
Pick the mantis up gently around the thorax or abdomen; do not squeeze tightly. Keep your fingers away from the front legs to avoid the pinch from the serrated spines.
3
A mantis habitat can give you up-close viewing of your new friend.
Place the mantis in a container for viewing. This could either be a milk carton with the top cut off and a screened top for viewing, or an aquarium set up as a mantis habitat. See Tips.
