Invertebrate, Terrestrial Invert

Indian Walking Stick

Posted by AARIC on

Carausius morosus

Order: Phasmatodea

Husbandry Information

Housing Requirements

  • A double tank system is better as they are excellent climbers. Screening should be fine mesh.
  • Taller tanks are preferred to provide adequate climbing space.
  • Coconut bedding or Soil can be used for substrate if you prefer, however, after any substrate changes, old soil should be frozen at -120*F for several days to prevent any eggs from hatching.
  • Old food should be thoroughly checked for eggs and juveniles before also freezing. Remove old leaves and chewed pieces of food often to prevent mold.
  • Temperature Requirements: 68-75*F
  • Humidity Requirements: 75-80% Any standing water should be covered with sponges or filter floss to prevent drowning.
  • Tanks should be moist but well ventilated to prevent mold or fungal growth.

Diet Requirements

  • Wild diet includes raspberry, roses, ivy and leaves from other bramble-like plants.
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PG Aquarium: Ours were on a diet of raspberry leaves, which is not available here year-round. We grew raspberry plants indoors through the winter months. We tried alternative food sources such as lettuce as a supplement, but found that they didn’t do as well or would not eat it.

Veterinary Concerns

  • Be sure that plants have not been treated with pesticides prior to feeding.

Notes on Enrichment & Training

Other

Colony or Breeding Management

Notes species is housed or managed socially or for breeding purposes.

Individual Identification

Dimorphism or practiced ways to individually mark species (such as those in colonies, like giant millipedes).

Programmatic Information

Transportation

Temperature Guidelines

Crating:

Tips on Presentation

Touching Techniques

Tips on Handling

  • Be very gentle if handling as legs can be easily damaged.

Potential Messaging

  • Camouflage
  • Insects
  • What are Pests?
  • Introduced species

Acquisition Information

Check your facility’s APHIS permits prior to obtaining as they are a regulated species and can be highly invasive if they escape.

Comments from the Rating System

  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PG Aquarium: Ours were on a diet of raspberry leaves, which is not available here year-round. We grew raspberry plants indoors through the winter months. We tried alternative food sources such as lettuce as a supplement, but found that they didn’t do as well or would not eat it.

Natural History Information

Range and Habitat

Tropical forests of Southern India

Physical Description

  • Adults can reach 4-5″ in length.
  • Adults are tan to brown in color and often resemble a twig.

Life Cycle

  • Lifespan is 9-18 months.
  • Eggs are very small and resemble plant seeds.
  • Nymphs are approximately 1″ at hatching size and will begin eating quickly.
  • Nymphs will mold 6 times before reaching adult size.
  • Color changes as nymphs age, from tan to green, then to light brown.

Behavior

Having such great camouflage, they will typically hide during the day and eat at night.

Threats and Conservation Status

Did you know…

  • Indian walking sticks are parthenogenic, or females can lay unfertilized eggs that will still hatch into more females.
  • Indian walking sticks are also called “Laboratory Walking Sticks”
  • There are over 2000 different types of stick insects.

Photographs

Documents

Any Documents to attach, species spotlights, etc.

Contributors and Citations

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium