No ferocious jaws, opening like shears; on the contrary, a fine pointed muzzle which seems to be made for billing and cooing.

Thanks to a flexible neck, set freely upon the thorax, the head can turn to right or left as on a pivot, bow, or raise itself high in the air.

Alone among insects, the Mantis is able to direct its gaze; it inspects and examines; it has almost a physiognomy.
There is a very great contrast between the body as a whole, which has a perfectly peaceable aspect, and the murderous fore-limbs.

The haunch of the fore-limb is unusually long and powerful.

Its object is to throw forward the living trap which does not wait for the victim, but goes in search of it.