Want to draw one of nature’s coolest hunters? The praying mantis has a long body, big eyes, and those famous folded front legs that make it look like it’s praying. Follow these four steps to draw your own.
Grab your supplies and let’s get started.
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons (for finishing)
Tips
- Start with pencil. Sketch lightly first so you can erase and adjust. Go over your final lines with marker or pen when you’re happy with the shape.
- Look at a real photo. Check out the reference photo at the top. Notice how the front legs fold, how the head is shaped like a triangle, and how the body is long and thin. Real details make drawings look better.
- Try different poses. Once you’ve got the basic mantis down, try drawing one with its front legs extended, ready to grab prey. Or try one perched on a leaf with its wings spread.
- Add color. Praying mantises come in green, brown, tan, and even pink (the orchid mantis). Pick your favorite.
How to Draw a Praying Mantis
- Draw the head. Draw two circles for the eyes. Connect them with a line across the top, then draw a curved V-shape underneath for the face.
- Add the body and back legs. Draw a long, oval-shaped body coming from the head. Add two bent back legs on top and one long back leg stretching down.
- Add the front legs. Draw two large, bent front legs near the head. Give each leg pointed, jagged edges like the picture.
- Finish your mantis. Add pupils, a smiling mouth, and two long antennae. Draw the remaining legs underneath the body and add any missing lines.
Cool Praying Mantis Facts
Now that you’ve drawn one, here are some things that make praying mantises one of the most fascinating insects on the planet:
- They’re the only insect that can turn its head. A praying mantis can rotate its head 180 degrees to look over its own shoulder. No other insect can do that.
- They’re lightning-fast hunters. A mantis can detect movement from up to 60 feet away, then leap forward and snatch its prey before it has time to escape.
- They’re camouflage experts. Depending on the species, a praying mantis can look like a green leaf, a brown stick, a piece of bark, or even a flower. The orchid mantis looks so much like a flower that other insects land on it thinking they’ve found food.
- Their name comes from their pose. Those folded front legs look like they’re praying, which is how they got their name. But those “praying” arms are actually built for grabbing.
Praying mantises are helpful insects! Learn about more backyard beneficial bugs.
