A mantis is an insect with long front legs that it holds up as if in prayer, giving it the common name 'praying mantis'. It is a predator that catches and eats other insects.
From Greek 'mantis' meaning 'prophet' or 'seer', because the insect’s posture looked like someone in prayer or deep thought. The scientific name stuck as it entered modern languages.
This insect’s name literally means 'prophet', just because it looks like it’s praying. Its calm pose hides the fact that it’s a lightning-fast hunter, turning 'holy' posture into a deadly trap.
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