Why does a praying mantis sway?

Answer 1

The praying mantis is actually not religious. It holds out its claws in front of it in a position that somewhat resembles hands folded in prayer, but it does so because this is a useful position from which to strike at insects that it will eat. It is purely coincidental that this position suggests prayer to the human viewer.

Answer 2

Mantis depth vision only works with movement. In order to see how far away a still object is it needs to move its head back and forth.

researchgate.net/publication/273221667_The_functional_significance_of_mantis_peering_behaviour

Answer 3

When they sway, they resemble twigs moving in the wind. This helps them to get closer to unsespecting prey.

Answer 4

praying mantids do not migrate if a mantid finds a shrub or plant he likes then that is his home for the summer.

Answer 5

Mantis depth vision only works with movement. In order to see how far away a still object is it needs to move its head back and forth.

researchgate.net/publication/273221667_The_functional_significance_of_mantis_peering_behaviour