There are green, yellow, and brown varieties, with subadults and adults tending to have dark transverse bands on the top of the abdomen.

Within California, this common insect occurs throughout the warmer and drier regions of the southern part of the state below elevations of 10,000 feet.

[3] They prefer chaparral and desert environments with sufficient vegetation (the creosote bush is a favorite) in which they can climb, hide, and hunt.

[5] Like all mantids, the California mantis is carnivorous, consuming virtually any other insect it perceives as small enough to be eaten, including other members of its own species.

Though fast runners, both sexes have wings and are capable of flight (though this form of movement is energy intensive and seldom utilized).