Mantises may have a visual range of up to 20 metres. The mantis usually holds its prey with one arm between the head and thorax, and the other on the abdomen. Then, if the prey does not resist, the mantis eats it alive. However, if the prey does resist, the mantis often eats it head first.

Large species have been known to prey on small scorpions, lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, fish, and even rodents.