The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 40 × 50 cm
Diet
Bramble (staple), oak, rose, raspberry, eucalyptus, guava · Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Temperature
20–30°C
Humidity
70–90%
Identity
Order / Family
Phasmatodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common (iconic)
Adult size
F 14–17 cm, 30–65 g (heaviest phasmids); M ~9–10 cm winged
Lifespan
F ~12–18 mo adult; total up to ~2 yr
Growth rate
Slow (F ~12–18 mo to adult)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal · Arboreal & low browser
Temperament
Slow; F defensive with spiny legs
Venom / defense
No venom; F snaps spiny hind legs shut on a hand — can draw blood; hisses
Price (THB)
฿400–1,000
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
20–30°C
Humidity
70–90%
Min. enclosure
40×40×50 cm (H ≥3× body); mesh for moulting
Substrate
Deep moist coco/soil (several cm) for egg-laying
Hides / decor / water
Sturdy branches; mist food plants heavily; needs deep damp floor
Diet
Staple food
Bramble (staple), oak, rose, raspberry, eucalyptus, guava
Feeding frequency
Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Supplements
None; fresh host leaves only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
F risky — powerful spiny-leg pinch; handle low & slow, support body
Communal
Yes — tolerant in groups with space
Defense / stress signs
Rears, spreads and snaps spiny hind legs; stridulates/hisses
Reproduction
Reproduction
F buries seed-like eggs with ovipositor; hatch after 7–14 mo; sexual
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult if floor too dry/low, dehydration, prolapse in F
Red flags / quarantine
SignsSluggish, shrivelled, mould, failed egg-laying
Good to know
- The bright-green female is one of the heaviest insects on Earth
Others in this group
Indian / Laboratory Stick InsectCarausius morosusGiant Prickly / Spiny Leaf InsectExtatosoma tiaratumVietnamese / Annam Stick InsectMedauroidea extradentataPink-Winged Stick InsectSipyloidea sipylusSabah Thorny Stick InsectAretaon asperrimusThorny Devil Stick InsectEurycantha calcarataBlack Beauty Stick InsectPeruphasma schulteiSunny / Sungaya Stick InsectSungaya inexpectata