When the time is right, the mantis suddenly leans forward and its front legs snap out and grab the insect. Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Praying mantises are usually green or brown while many others are brightly coloured and boldly marked - the colouring always acting as camouflage. This camouflage is vital for predation and to avoid being eaten by birds and bats. Mantis babies usually hatch from their frothy egg-masses in late April or May, or whenever the weather begins to warm up, depending on the region.
Mantis babies are wingless, but otherwise resemble the adults.
By August, mantises that have survived are adult, and by September or October, most of them die. Mantises are famous in many cultures. In some cultures, they are considered holy. The mantis is also famous for its mating habits - when the male and female are done mating, the female eats the male. Though considered as pests, mantises are a boon to farmers-eating other insects.