The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Bramble (staple), oak, eucalyptus, ficus, rose, guava · Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Temperature
24–30°C
Humidity
70–80%
Identity
Order / Family
Phasmatodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Common
Adult size
F 12–15 cm robust; M ~10–13 cm with hind-leg spur
Lifespan
F ~8–12 mo adult; total ~12–18 mo
Growth rate
Medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal · Ground-dwelling (hides by day)
Temperament
Docile; M defensive with spurred legs
Venom / defense
No venom; M clamps spiny hind legs (painful spur jab); musky odour
Price (THB)
฿300–700
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–30°C
Humidity
70–80%
Min. enclosure
40×30×30 cm floor space; bark hides; moist floor
Substrate
Moist coco/soil (few cm) for buried eggs
Hides / decor / water
Bark/cork tubes to hide by day; water dish; mist plants
Diet
Staple food
Bramble (staple), oak, eucalyptus, ficus, rose, guava
Feeding frequency
Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Supplements
None; fresh host leaves only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile but adult M can spur-jab — grip behind legs, support body
Communal
Yes — gregarious but provide hides to avoid squabbles
Defense / stress signs
Rears, snaps spurred hind legs shut; emits odour; plays dead
Reproduction
Reproduction
Sexual; eggs buried in soil; hatch ~4–6 mo
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult if floor dry, dehydration, spur injuries between males
Red flags / quarantine
SignsSluggish, shrivel, mould, mite load
Good to know
- In Papua New Guinea it was used as a natural fish hook thanks to its leg spurs
Others in this group
Indian / Laboratory Stick InsectCarausius morosusGiant Prickly / Spiny Leaf InsectExtatosoma tiaratumVietnamese / Annam Stick InsectMedauroidea extradentataMalayan Jungle NymphHeteropteryx dilatataPink-Winged Stick InsectSipyloidea sipylusSabah Thorny Stick InsectAretaon asperrimusBlack Beauty Stick InsectPeruphasma schulteiSunny / Sungaya Stick InsectSungaya inexpectata