Giant Mantis (Fallout: New Vegas)

Giant mantises are quadrupedal mutated insects found, amongst other places, in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.

Biology
Giant mantises are mutated mantises created by the horticultural experiments at Vault 22. They have escaped from the vault and have spread into the Mojave Wasteland. Compared to other mutant creatures, they are much closer (genetically) to the regular animal, although much larger. Mantises are significantly smaller than humans, but have an incredibly powerful attack. They almost always attack in swarms.

Mantis eggs and mantis forelegs may be taken from their bodies. Forelegs don't sell for much, but they may be used to make the useful consumable grilled mantis. Eggs sell for more than forelegs, but are not weightless. However, the eggs are needed for the quest Bleed Me Dry, if you don't collect the egg clutch.

Gameplay attributes
Giant mantises are small compared to most other creatures and they will jump towards the player, slicing with their forelegs.

Giant mantis
Regular giant mantis with the abilities mentioned above. Descended from smaller mantises from before the war, due to radiation and possibly experimentation within Vault 22 these insects have grown much larger.

Giant mantis female
Female giant mantis. More powerful than the normal giant mantis, and larger too. They may have mantis eggs in their inventory. One can be found in the caves of Vault 22.

Giant mantis nymph
Young giant mantis. They are much smaller and weaker than adult mantis. With a high enough strength, they can be killed simply by stepping on them. Usually found early in the game at the Goodsprings schoolhouse, Nevada Highway Patrol Station and other areas, but can also be found in Vault 11 and Vault 22.

Zion mantis (Honest Hearts)
The Zion mantis is a variety of giant mantis found in Zion National Park during the Honest Hearts add-on. They are much larger and more dangerous than the other varieties of giant mantis that are found in the Mojave Wasteland.

Zion mantis nymph (Honest Hearts)
The younger, smaller, and weaker version of the Zion mantis. Found in Zion National Park during the Honest Hearts add-on.

Giant Zion mantis (Honest Hearts)
This variation of the giant mantis can be found in Zion National Park, during the Honest Hearts add-on. They are by far the strongest mantis in the game.

Appearances
Giant mantises appear in Fallout: New Vegas.

Bugs

 * When the mantis raises its forelegs before attacking its head cannot be targeted in V.A.T.S., this also applies to the PC if an Xbox controller is used.
 * When you remove a mantis' forelegs, you can put them into a container to gain exp every time you put it in and out. This also works with other insect bodies. See Fallout: New Vegas exploits for more details.