Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Is the Praying Mantis Really Praying? Lesson 86


Listen Later

With its folded front legs and watchful eyes, the praying mantis looks like it's deep in prayer—but is it really? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of the mantis: from its amazing hunting skills and five incredible eyes, to whether female mantises really eat their mates. Along the way, we'll discover how even the strangest creatures in nature reflect the creativity of our amazing God—and how creation itself can teach us to worship Him.

Here’s our trail map:

  • What Is a Praying Mantis?
  • Is the Praying Mantis Really Praying?
  • How Does a Praying Mantis Hunt?
  • Do Female Praying Mantises Eat Their Mates?
  • How Does Creation Worship God?


Episode Links:

  • Get 10% off with code NatTheo10 and enjoy a FREE week of the Flourish Family Bible Curriculum: https://treehouseschoolhouse.com/pages/free-week-of-flourish
  • Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/
  • Order Eryn’s book: The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
  • Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
  • Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
  • Free Praying Mantis Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/praying-mantis-facts/
  • Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
  • Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615


Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.” Genesis 1:27 (NCV)


“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

    or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

Speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

    or let the fish of the sea tell you.

Every one of these knows

    that the hand of the Lord has done this.

The life of every creature

    and the breath of all people are in God’s hand.” Job 12:7-10 (NCV)


“Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad;

let the sea and everything in it shout.

Let the fields and everything in them rejoice.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.” Psalm 96:11-12 (NCV)


Terms Learned in This Episode:

  • Mantodea: An order, like a category, of insects that have long bodies, long folded front arms, and triangular heads. They are known for their unique and efficient hunting strategies.
  • Mantis Religiosa: A specific species of insect in the mantodea order. It’s the one we often think of when we think about the praying mantis.
  • Raptorial Forelegs: The praying mantis’s front legs that are strong and spiky, made for grabbing and holding onto prey—like built-in prey-catching tools!
  • Ambush Predator: A creature that stays very still and waits quietly for its prey to come close, then quickly jumps out to catch it—like a surprise attack.
  • Compound Eye: A special kind of eye made of many tiny lenses that help insects like the praying mantis see movement and what’s around them.
  • Psuedopupil: A dark spot you see on some insect eyes, like a praying mantis or a fly. It looks like a real pupil, but it’s not. It’s caused by how light is absorbed and reflected.
  • Ocelli: Tiny simple eyes on top of a praying mantis’s and other insect’s heads that help them sense light and dark.


This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Club

https://erynlynum.com/club

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the BibleBy Eryn Lynum

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

263 ratings


More shows like Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

View all
Paws & Tales by Paws & Tales

Paws & Tales

2,188 Listeners

Read-Aloud Revival ® by Sarah Mackenzie

Read-Aloud Revival ®

3,337 Listeners

At Home With Sally by Sally Clarkson

At Home With Sally

2,948 Listeners

Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling by Sonya Shafer

Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

520 Listeners

The Durenda Wilson Podcast by Durenda Wilson

The Durenda Wilson Podcast

874 Listeners

Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids - Christian Kids Podcast, Family-Friendly Bible Podcast, Christian Parenting Resource by Sherilyn R. Grant and Christian Parenting

Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids - Christian Kids Podcast, Family-Friendly Bible Podcast, Christian Parenting Resource

1,128 Listeners

Car Ride Stories for GIGI Kids: Bible and Christian Stories for Kids by Esther Espinoza

Car Ride Stories for GIGI Kids: Bible and Christian Stories for Kids

133 Listeners

Real Cool History for Kids by Angela O'Dell

Real Cool History for Kids

2,166 Listeners

Lamplighter Kids Stories by Lamplighter Kids Stories

Lamplighter Kids Stories

1,173 Listeners

Homeschool Made Simple by Homeschool Made Simple

Homeschool Made Simple

391 Listeners

Parenting with Ginger Hubbard by Ginger Hubbard

Parenting with Ginger Hubbard

1,234 Listeners

Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito by Jennifer Pepito

Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito

168 Listeners

M Is for Mama Podcast by Abbie Halberstadt

M Is for Mama Podcast

1,123 Listeners

The Biggest Story by Crossway

The Biggest Story

233 Listeners

Tiny Theologians by Training The Church

Tiny Theologians

634 Listeners