The mantid waits motionless for prey and strikes with lightning speed (1/20 of a second or faster), impaling the prey on its front legs. Its defense mechanisms include camouflage, stealth and rearing up and rattling its wings. When it senses a bat, the mantid changes its flying pattern suddenly. In some species, the female eats the male's head while mating. His headless body continues copulating. Then she devours the rest of him.