Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Does a Praying Mantis Pray?
Do praying mantises really pray? No! But they sure look like they do. When a mantid (another name for a praying mantis) is looking for food, it stands very still. It holds its front legs together. This makes it look like it is praying. But it's not praying; it's waiting for its prey! While waiting in the grass or brush, a mantid is nearly invisible. Small insects, such as grasshoppers, passing by don't even notice the mantid is there until it is too late! The mantis quickly grabs the insect with its front legs. Then it .....
