{"product_id":"giant-australian-prickly-stick-insect-extatosoma-tiaratum-lichen-morph-copy","title":"Giant Australian Prickly Stick Insect - Extatosoma Tiaratum","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtatosoma tiaratum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly called the Australian Stick Insect, Giant Prickly Stick Insect, Macleay’s Spectre, are a large, unusual stick insect native to Australia. Their curled abdomen, spiny body, and defensive posture can make them resemble a scorpion, while their coloration and texture provide excellent camouflage among dried leaves and branches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are generally calm and slow-moving and are one of the more impressive stick insects to keep. When disturbed by wind or misting, they may gently rock back and forth to imitate leaves moving in the breeze.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHousing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA tall, well-ventilated enclosure is essential. Screen enclosures work especially well because they provide excellent ventilation and plenty of surfaces for climbing and molting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide branches and fresh food plants throughout the enclosure. Keep stems in water to maintain freshness, but completely cover the water opening so insects cannot fall in and drown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintain temperatures around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e70–77°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Most importantly, provide enough vertical space for the insect to hang freely during molts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustralian Stick Insects are herbivores that feed on fresh leaves. Suitable foods include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEucalyptus, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGuava, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlackberry\/bramble, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaspberry, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRose, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOak, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalal, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSt. Johns Wort\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature, dark-green leaves are preferred. Avoid very young blackberry growth for small nymphs. Never use plants that may have been treated with pesticides, including most florist roses. Pesticide residues cannot necessarily be made safe simply by washing the leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater \u0026amp; Humidity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightly mist the enclosure regularly to provide drinking droplets and appropriate humidity. Most of their hydration comes from the leaves they eat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood ventilation is important. The enclosure should be humid enough to support successful molts without remaining constantly wet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReproduction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales can reproduce without males through \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eparthenogenesis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, producing viable eggs without mating. Fertilized eggs generally hatch faster than eggs produced parthenogenetically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales scatter their small, round eggs across the enclosure rather than burying them. Eggs can be collected and incubated on slightly moist coco fiber or sphagnum moss with good ventilation. Keep them humid but never waterlogged or moldy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese insects are generally calm and can be handled gently. Never pull one from a branch or screen, as their legs can be injured.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead, place your hand in front of the insect and gently encourage it to walk onto you. They naturally prefer to climb upward and will often calmly walk across your hands and arms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInteresting Fact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir newly hatched nymphs are remarkable ant mimics. In the wild, their eggs may be carried underground by ants. After hatching, the tiny nymphs resemble ants in both appearance and movement, helping them escape the nest. As they grow and molt, they develop their characteristic leaf-like appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Care Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Easy–Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Herbivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 70–77°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVentilation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e High\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Calm and handleable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heart Leaf Tropicals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67830427615461,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0712\/2406\/6277\/files\/IMG-2783.png?v=1792751848","url":"https:\/\/heartleaftropicals.com\/products\/giant-australian-prickly-stick-insect-extatosoma-tiaratum-lichen-morph-copy","provider":"Heart Leaf Tropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}