Giant Jumping Stick Insect at animal school visit leeds

How did they get the name Stick insect?

These insects are named for their interesting camouflage technique. They blend into woody plants where they feed. Stick insects even imitate twigs swaying in the wind by rocking back and forth as they move. However, the size is a lot different from a real twig as they are a lot smaller – especially when they are babies, we could hardly spot ours.

What does a Stick insect look like?

They’re typically brown, black, or green, with stick-shaped bodies that help them blend in as they perch on twigs and branches.Animal school visits, Doncaster pupils holding stick insects

What animal class are they?

They are in the animal class ‘Insecta’ (funnily enough sounds a lot like insects)

Where do they come from?

They are found in south and southeast Asia to New Zealand. However, you can see them now in peoples households.

What do Stick insects eat?

Stick insects eat leaves, but they do not eat all types of plants. Every species has one or more plants which they eat, while they will refuse to eat other leaves. For example, we have a large bush in our garden so we found stick insects that eat that type of bush. This means we pay little for food for them and always have lots of food on demand!

Is a Stick insect a good pet?

A typical game we like to play is: count the number of stick insects because they blend in so well! For young children stick insects are perfect pets with little care needed. Looking after them is easy. If you’re looking for a way to show your capability of looking after animals to your parents a stick insect is a perfect first pet. However, they don’t give attention back, so if you’re looking for a playful pet, they may not be the ones.

Are they expensive to buy?

Stick insects are cheap and are bought in groups. You can buy them online for around £5. They really are ‘cheap as chips pets’

How do you look after a Stick insect?

– he cage (best to use a small aquarium) of your stick insect should be at least three times the body length of the insect in height and two times the body length in width. We use a transparent habitat for the stick insect in our house, this enables us to see what they are doing or if the food, water or paper bottom floor needs changing.
-Fill the enclosure with the correct plants and a low basin of water to keep moisture.
-Clean the enclosure every week. Make sure to clean the enclosure with water as soap is toxic to them.
-When cleaning the branches make sure to check that there are no stick insects hidden on them and you end up binning them.

 

Questions for the class (skim read the text above for the answers):

1) How do stick insects camouflage themselves?
2)What colour are they?
3)Where would you find wild stick insects?
4)What do they eat?
5)What is a good quality for having one as a pet?
6)What is a limitation when having one as a pet?
7)What kind of cage would you put them in?
8)Can you clean the cage with soap?
9)What should you be careful with when cleaning the branches?
10)What would you call your stick insects?

Stick insects are an excellent creature to bring to: