Las Vegas, Nevada, United States--Standing sentinel outside of Las Vegas, Nevada’s Downtown Container Park shopping center is a massive, metallic mantis; built by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum and partner Kristen Ulmer to be 150 times the size of a real Mantis (55 feet tall, 40 feet long and about 30 feet wide), it burns about 50 gallons of propane each night, and flames can reach six stories high, thus setting the world record for being the World’s Largest Fire-Breathing Praying Mantis, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"The Mantis lords over the neighborhood — 55 feet tall, 40 feet long and about 30 feet wide — a replica of an original female Praying Mantis built by Aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
"The Mantis is a relic of the late Tony Hsieh’s vision of downtown Las Vegas, especially Fremont East, where the creature stands on the corner of 7th and Fremont Streets. Hsieh bought the installation in 2013.
"The Park is open 11:30 am.-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays."
"Container Park is a relatively new idea in deployment of an activity hub for tourists and locals. For roadsiders, there's the curb appeal of a huge recycled metal praying mantis blasting flames out of its antennae at random moments in the evening, especially when crowds are milling below," the Roadside America reports.
"It was built by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum and partner Kristen Ulmer to be 150 times the size of a real Mantis, and burns about 50 gallons of propane each night. Flames can reach six stories high.
"This is part of an ambitious effort to revitalize a long neglected part of downtown. The park opened in 2013, and a wedding chapel was added in 2016. The 40-foot-long praying mantis is an alumnus of the Burning Man Festival -- recycled to stay and flame in Vegas."
"Standing sentinel outside of Las Vegas, Nevada’s Downtown Container Park shopping center is a massive, metallic mantis. Like some kind of post-apocalyptic, Mad Max–monster, the mantis sculpture is capable of shooting fire from its antennae and blaring sound from a powerful internal speaker system. But strangely, this tribute to B-movie creatures began as an anniversary gift.
"The Mantis was originally built by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum as a first wedding anniversary gift to his wife Kristen. Debuting at the Burning Man Festival, the Mantis made a second appearance outside of Zion National Park before finding its permanent home in Las Vegas," the Atlas Obscura reports.
"In addition to the fire and sound, the 40-foot-tall Mantis also claims to be able to “speak 20 different languages,” and can also be driven to new locations, should Jellum feel the need to move his giant artwork. But for now, the Mantis can be seen firing off nightly bombast in front of the Container Park, a giant metal monument to love and monsters."
"The main attraction, however, is the fire-shooting praying mantis near the front of the Container Park. When show time arrives, the enormous animatronic praying mantis moves and shoots fire out of its antennae. Using liquid propane as its fuel, the show is powerful… and hotter than Hades," the Las Vegas Then and Now reports.
"Like other free Las Vegas shows, the fire shooting performance is choreographed to music. As one of the better free shows in Vegas, I recommend making the trip to check it out!"
"Downtown Container Park is an outdoor shopping mall and entertainment complex located in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. The tenants are housed in metal cubes and shipping containers.
"The project was conceived by Tony Hsieh and his Downtown Project, a group dedicated to revitalizing the downtown area. Construction began in 2012, and the project opened on November 25, 2013, with 34 tenants. The mall includes 43 shipping containers and 41 cubes." (Wikipedia)
The Mantis Fun Facts
* When fully extended, The Mantis is 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It burns approximately 50 gallons of liquid propane each day, with flames reaching six stories high!
* The Mantis has a built-in 4,000-watt surround sound system, can speak more than 20 different languages, and is operated by a team of four trained, licensed professionals.
* Every night at sundown (weather permitting), the Mantis is awakened by a drum circle celebration, the “Call to the Mantis,” where everyone is welcome to participate!
"Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all Mantodea have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis.
"Mantises are mostly ambush predators, but a few ground-dwelling species are found actively pursuing their prey. They normally live for about a year. In cooler climates, the adults lay eggs in autumn, then die. The eggs are protected by their hard capsules and hatch in the spring. Females sometimes practice sexual cannibalism, eating their mates after copulation. "Mantises were considered to have supernatural powers by early civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, and Assyria. A cultural trope popular in cartoons imagines the female mantis as a femme fatale. Mantises are among the insects most commonly kept as pets." (
Testimonials from Trip Advisor
"Great spot to visit when you're in Vegas. It's within walking distance from Freemont Street. There are retail shops, restaurants and bars here. I visited this place during the day and there weren't many people. Also, it was really hot. The main attraction is the 35-foot-tall praying mantis sculpture that shoots flames from its antennae later in the evening. I was impressed with all the work of art that went into creating this park. This place is well maintained and I would definitely recommend it."
"The grasshopper is the best thing here and a real fun eye grabber. It’s right at the entrance along with another artistic heart attraction."
"The flying Mantis was my favorite part of Vegas! Go see it at Night it lights and this fire show ever 15 mins I think."
"I highly recommend staying around to see the glowing moving huge grasshopper shooting flames out of its antennae after dusk. It’s easy to walk to if you are staying on Fremont Street. Extremely kid friendly. Everyone is friendly. Definitely recommend the visit here."
"If you want to go to a unique place that you will find in no other city! Then don't go any further. This is such a unique concept, I can't believe other places haven't copied it. They used the containers to make a cool bar, restaurant, cc shop area with an area to put on concerts. You just need to come by have a drink and check it out. And did I mention they have a preying mantes that blows FIRE!!!"
World’s Largest Fire-Breathing Praying Mantis
Address:707 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV
Directions:Downtown, two blocks east of the Fremont St. canopy and Slotzilla, on the southeast corner of Fremont and S. 7th Sts. No pets allowed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downtowncontainerpark
GPS: 36.1680, -115.1383
Hours:10-11. Fire always looks scarier at night. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access
Phone:702-637-4244
Admission:Free
website: https://downtowncontainerpark.com/
