Identity
Order / Family
Orthoptera / Tettigoniidae (tusked)
Origin
Adult size
Large ~6–8 cm; males with large 'tusks'
Activity
Nocturnal
Temperament
Defensive — powerful bite/tusks
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–30 °C
Humidity
70–80%
Min. enclosure
Well-ventilated tall vivarium with cover
Substrate
Coco + leaf litter
Diet
Staple food
Omnivore — leaves, fruit, and protein (predatory)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended — bites hard
Communal
Cannibalistic — house individually
Molting
Molts hanging — vertical space + humidity
Reproduction
Reproduction
Eggs in substrate
Common health problems
Failed molt
Signslow humidity / crowding
Preventspace + 70–80% humidity
When to see a vet
Not veterinary advice.
Good to know
- Males have oversized jaws ('tusks') used to fight — one of the fiercest pet orthopterans.
Others in this group
Caribbean / Purple Pincher Hermit CrabCoenobita clypeatusGiant African Land SnailLissachatina fulicaRed Apple CrabMetasesarma aubryiIndonesian / Purple Land Hermit CrabCoenobita brevimanusRuggie Land Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusVampire Crab (assorted Geosesarma)Geosesarma sp. (e.g. dennerle, 'red devil')Giant Pink-foot / Immaculate Land SnailAchatina immaculataGiant West African / Banana Rasp SnailArchachatina marginata