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Animal India - Praying Mantis

The praying mantis are predatory insects that gets their name because they have very long folded forelegs held close together, and they are held in a position that reminds people of praying. There are about 1,800 species of praying mantids around the world. Praying mantids are carnivores, eating mainly insects and other small animals. Many gardeners and farmers welcome mantids because the insects they eat are often pests that hurt crops. In addition to insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, mantids eat spiders, frogs, lizards, and even small birds. A green garden mantis has climbed on a man's hand and is behaving like a funny dog at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 15/10/2023 (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#10643662
Date Taken	15 October 2023
Location	N/A
Photographer	Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto

NurPhoto General news India Wildlife October 15 2023 15th October 2023 Mantis praying mantis predatory insects long folded forelegs praying position 1 800 species carnivores small animals gardeners farmers pest control crop protection crickets grasshoppers spiders frogs lizards small birds green garden mantis Tehatta West Bengal India 15/10/2023 Soumyabrata Roy NurPhoto insect behavior mantis on hand funny dog behavior insect world mantis species insect predators beneficial insects.