I see the little baby mantises (manti?) in the spring but then they disappear all summer. In the fall, BAM! They’re everywhere. I originally put up a video of a mantis killing a mouse, but it was taken down so now you get a mantis attacking a snake. Once you get into that little corner of youtube, there are all kinds of great animal battles. My favorite was a giant centipede killing a mouse. I’d link to it, but that would be hard. This way it’s like an easter egg hunt.By the way, the photos below are from my actual backyard of my actual abode.