Watch a ‘Real Life David vs. Goliath’ Match as a Praying Mantis Takes Down a Lizard

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The praying mantis is one of the most unique and intriguing insects on the planet. These pious-appearing carnivores are as beautiful as they are terrifying, engaging in everything from sexual murder to extraordinary camouflage. 

The praying mantis is described as being calm and soulful due to its large front legs that draw together in a posture that suggests devotion. They’re not as submissive as they seem. Praying mantises are actually ambush predators with lightning-quick movements and a variety of other remarkable abilities.

A wildlife video gives viewers an incredible view of a battle between one of these insects and a lizard. Even though the mantis is fast, it isn’t quick enough to get away from the grasp of the lizard’s mouth.

What Do Praying Mantises Eat?

While the mantis in the first part of the video is out of luck, the second is quite remarkable. This next praying mantis is facing a much larger lizard and will accept nothing less than first place. 

When praying mantises are preparing to attack, they move so swiftly that it is difficult to see them with the unaided eye. They may wait to surprise or slowly hunt their prey. They also have barbs on their legs, which they use to stab and hold the victims.

Mantises devour more than just bugs. They occasionally even prey on small vertebrate animals as well as other arthropods like spiders. For instance, some mantises are known to feed on hummingbirds, along with warblers, sunbirds, and other types of birds. As shown in the video, they also like the occasional frog or lizard. 

What Do Lizards Eat?

Lizards will consume anything, including insects and lush vegetables. They are a very diverse collection of reptiles with various ranges, habits, and hunting techniques. Even just a single species with a restricted distribution can have various hunting techniques. But there is one thing in common among all lizards: they belong to one of four eating groups. 

The majority of pet lizards are insectivores, including leopard geckos, anoles, and house geckos. This indicates that they only consume small invertebrates and bugs. These lizards chase flies, locusts, beetles, moths, spiders, and other tiny insects in the wild. They typically consume mealworms, cockroaches, or crickets when kept as pets. 

Certain species, including crested geckos, blue-tongued skinks, and bearded dragons, are omnivores. This indicates that they eat a mix of plants and meat in their diet. Based on the species, the proportion of plants to meat might range from 10 to 80%. Eggs, tiny animals, foliage, fruits, grasses, and berries are all consumed by omnivorous lizards. For them to be healthy, their diet must be very varied.