The Mantis Life Cycle section follows praying mantises from egg case to adult. Many mantises begin life inside a protective egg case called an ootheca, which may be attached to twigs, stems, fences, walls, or other outdoor surfaces. When young mantises hatch, they emerge as tiny nymphs that often look like miniature adults, though their color and body proportions may change as they grow. Nymphs molt several times before becoming mature adults. This section explains mantis eggs, egg cases, hatching, nymph development, molting, mating, seasonal changes, and adulthood in simple language. It is especially helpful for readers who find an egg case in a garden or notice tiny baby mantises appearing in spring.