Sand Cockroach vs Tunisian Desert Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Cockroach Tunisian Desert Mantis
Scientific Name Arenivaga investigata Eremiaphila berndstiewi
Order Blattodea Mantodea
Family Corydiidae Eremiaphilidae
Size 15-25 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions North America Tunisia
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Sand Cockroach

A desert cockroach that extracts water vapor from moist sand through special mouthparts.

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Did You Know?

It can absorb atmospheric water vapor at humidities as low as 83 percent.

Tunisian Desert Mantis

A recently described desert mantis from southern Tunisia. It has an extremely flattened body that helps it hide under stones and in crevices.

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Did You Know?

It was only described as a new species in 2012, showing how poorly known desert mantises remain.