Mantises are a type of insect that are well-known for their impressive predatory skills and their curious physical attributes. Members of the order Mantodea, these insects have some of the most captivating and intriguing qualities in the animal kingdom, making them some of the coolest insects alive. The most impressive physical quality of a mantis is its raptorial forelimbs. These raptorial appendages form a battle-ready stance they use to hunt their prey and can be found with sharp spines that help the mantis grip and hold its victims. The mantis strikes with stunning speed and is a powerful hunter, able to snatch prey that is larger than itself. Furthermore, the mantis’s eyes are so keen that they can see in three dimensions and bring together two images of an object to accurately judge the distance from it. Another quality that makes mantises unique is the fact that they can turn their heads 180 degrees, making them the only invertebrate to have this degree of mobility. This is great for sensing any potential predators with their 360-degree vision. Beyond this, female mantises can be cannibalistic, and have been known to eat the head of their mate after copulation. While this behavior is most commonly seen in species of mantis that live in captivity, this curious trait is still quite notable for such a small animal. Overall, mantises are an enthralling type of insect that possess a variety of unique features. From their powerful raptorial forelimbs to their 360-degree vision, mantises are an exceptional predator and an indisputably cool creature in the animal kingdom.