Species · GBIF taxon 1404875
African Mantis
Sphodromantis lineolaAlso known as African Praying Mantis, Giant African Mantis, Lineola Mantis
African mantises are formidable ambush predators that blend seamlessly into foliage, waiting to snatch passing insects with lightning-fast strikes of their spiked forelegs. Highly adaptable, they range in color from bright green to dull brown, with some brown individuals displaying striking purple eyes. Females are particularly robust, occasionally taking down small lizards or frogs in addition to their usual insect diet.
PredatoryCamouflagedInvertebrate
Licensed referenceMintz_l / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flies
- Moths
- Grasshoppers
Predators
- Birds
- Lizards
- Bats
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat destruction, and localized over-collection for the pet trade
HabitatsSavannas, grasslands, open woodlands, and suburban gardens
Life span10 to 12 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMantidae
- SpeciesSphodromantis lineola
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a pinch or defensive bite if handled roughly; handle gently or observe from a distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Large individuals possess strong raptorial forelegs and mandibles that can deliver a sharp pinch or bite if they feel threatened.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large green or brown mantis with a broad, shield-like pronotum and no dark spots on the inner forearms.
- What to do
- Avoid pinching or grabbing the thorax; let the insect walk onto your hand voluntarily.
Responsible observation
- Approaching: Move slowly to avoid triggering their defensive display, where they flare their wings and raise their forelegs.
- Handling: Allow the mantis to crawl onto an outstretched hand rather than grabbing it, which prevents defensive pinches.
Competitor Luc Viatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Distant Relative "European Mantis - Mantis religiosa" by Björn S... is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
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