Praying Mantis

Description:

Mantises are beneficial predators, mostly feeding on insects. Larger species have been known to prey on small scorpions, lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, fish, and rodents. They will prey upon any species small enough to be successfully captured and devoured. Most species of mantis are known to engage in cannibalism which happens most frequently during the mating season. Mantises are masters of camouflage and many have evolved not only to blend in with foliage, but to mimic foliage and natural substrates.

Habitat:

Stagmomantis species are native to North America, Central America & South America. Areas of low vegetation.

Notes:

Observed at night on the edge of a Red Mangrove forest.