Small Desert Mantis vs Giant African Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Desert Mantis Giant African Mantis
Scientific Name Eremiaphila typhon Sphodromantis gastrica
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Eremiaphilidae Mantidae
Size 15-25 mm 70-100 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Egypt, Libya, Tunisia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Desert Mantis

A tiny, wingless mantis found in the Sahara Desert that runs across open sand to catch prey. Its pale body color matches the desert substrate perfectly.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the fastest-running mantises relative to its body size.

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.

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Did You Know?

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