Could this be a mantis?

[leslr]

This is a two part ID. I was originally taking some photos of a wierd snail/shell in my Nano to hopefully get it ID'd, when this little fella came screaming up out of the rocks after it. It actually startled me. I only managed to get one quick pic before it took off when it noticed I was standing there. It originally came up from behind the snail and waited a moment till it started to come up over the edge, it then went around to the front and waited, and as the snail came over the top it kind of sat back on its back half and put its arms out like it was going to kind of grab it, thats when it noticed me trying to get the camera to work, It moved off a bit ,and looked like it was going to try again, thats was the pic i managed to get, before it was gone. The snail is about 3/8" long and the little fella is about the same size. Can a mantis kill a snail when they are this small?
And yes, I would still like an ID on the snail. It has a really long narrow pointed shell. I've put up 2 pics of the snail.
thanks.
leslr.

 

[leslr]

pic of mantis?

pic of mantis?

pic one

 

[DreamScape]

i can't tell from the pic.

what angle is the picture at in relation to the... creature.
(top or front?)

 

[leslr]

Top down, slightly off to one side. It is in the process of turning aorund to come back for another grab?

 

[DreamScape]

well, my guess would be "yes you do have a mantis"

from the position of it's eyes and walking legs.

also it doesn't seem to have long antennae, which would have meant you had something else.

so mantis it is until further notice

 

[leslr]

Thanks DreamScape.