Praying mantids have a triangular head with large eyes. The front legs are raptorial. Both males and females are fully winged. Females are generally larger than males. Mantids are predaceous and feed mainly on insects although the larger species have been known to eat frogs and young birds.
Most species live within foliage or flower blossoms and are well-camouflaged.
The ground-dwelling species are rapid runners and may chase their prey actively instead of waiting in ambush. This species is predaceous and will even eat other members of its own species. They are very cannibalistic and mating often ends with the female eating the male.