A praying mantis is a large insect named for the way it holds its front legs folded together, like hands clasped in prayer. These remarkable hunters can turn their triangular heads from side to side to watch for prey, something most insects can't do. They sit perfectly still on plants, waiting to ambush other insects with lightning-fast strikes of those folded front legs.

Praying mantises are one of the few insects that can catch and eat other predators, including spiders, wasps, and even small lizards or birds. Their front legs have sharp spines that snap closed like a trap, holding prey while the mantis eats. They come in green and brown colors that help them blend into leaves and branches.

Despite their fierce hunting skills, praying mantises are considered beneficial insects by gardeners because they eat pests that damage plants. If you spot one in your yard, it might slowly turn its head to look directly at you, a strange but fascinating sight.