In Kung Fu Panda, what type of insect is Master Mantis?

Master Mantis is a praying mantis in Kung Fu Panda.

Mantis is one of the Furious Five, the group of elite kung fu masters trained by Master Shifu. Despite his tiny size, he is presented as a highly capable fighter and uses speed, precision, and agility to compensate for his small stature.

The character’s design draws on the recognizable shape and forelegs of a praying mantis. His name is a direct species reference, unlike some characters whose names do not identify their animal type.

Mantis is sometimes confused with another small insect because the film emphasizes his martial-arts abilities more than natural history. In the story, however, the character is specifically a praying mantis, not a generic insect.