Giant African Mantis vs Springbok Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant African Mantis Springbok Mantis
Scientific Name Sphodromantis gastrica Miomantis caffra
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Mantidae Mantidae
Size 70-100 mm 30-50mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Heathland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Southern Africa Africa, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant African Mantis

One of Africa's largest mantis species with a robust green or brown body. It can catch prey as large as small lizards and frogs.

💡

Did You Know?

They have been observed catching and eating hummingbird-sized sunbirds at garden feeders in South Africa.

Springbok Mantis

A small bright green mantis native to southern Africa that has become invasive in New Zealand. Females are notorious for always cannibalizing males during mating. Males approach females with extreme caution.

💡

Did You Know?

Female sexual cannibalism is nearly universal in this species, with males being eaten during mating over 60% of the time.