Giant Spiny Stick Insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
| Giant Spiny Stick Insect Eurycantha calcarata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Giant Spiny Stick Insect |
| Name Lat. | Eurycantha calcarata |
| Family | Lonchodid Stick Insects |
| Family lat. | Lonchodidae |
| Order | Phasmids |
| Order lat. | Phasmatodea |
| Origin | New Guinea, New Caledonia |
| Habitat | Rainforest |
| Diet | Fresh rose-family leaves |
| Humidity | 60-80 % |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 10-18 months |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12-15 cm |
| Temperature Day | 25-30 °C |
| Temperature Night | 22-24 °C |
| Housing Size | 50 x 50 x 60 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.7"-6" |
| Temperature Day | 77-86 °F |
| Temperature Night | 72-75 °F |
| Housing Size | 20" x 20" x 25" |
Distribution and habitat
The mainly nocturnal spiny insects are native to New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. There, the wingless animals live on bushes and shrubs of the tropical rainforests.
Maintenance
A terrarium of 50 x 50 x 60 cm (L x W x H) is recommended for a pair or a small group. A terrarium with a cover made of gauze or fine metal mesh is best. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without sunlight
They need climbing opportunities, such as cork back walls, twigs and branches, which also serve as food plants. In order to keep them fresh for a longer time, they should be served in narrow-necked, well-sealed (danger of drowning), stable containers (e.g. vase). Suitable substrate is terrarium humus or a soil-sand mixture covered with moss, which should always be kept slightly moist. Every 1-2 days, preferably in the evening, the insectarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Good ventilation is especially important
| Temp. day: 25-30 °C | Temp. night: 22-24 °C | Humidity: 60-80 |
Although the animals are nocturnal, a light source that also produces the necessary heat is ideal. The lighting duration should be 8-12 hours, depending on the season
Diet
The food supply consists of fresh leaves of blackberry, honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), laburnum, elderberry and ivy (Hedera helix), as well as leaves of ferns. Leaves of other roses and rose plants, such as red and hawthorn, raspberry, currant, wild rose, etc., as well as the leaves of beech, oak, linden, hazel, eucalyptus or sweet chestnut are also accepted differently by individuals. Blackberries are ideal as food in winter, as they remain green. Spraying the forage plants allows the animals to satisfy their drinking needs. Additionally, a wick waterer is recommended. Eaten branches, dried and rotten leaves must be removed regularly
A regular and varied diet promotes the well-being of the animals.
Reproduction and breeding
The females are larger and stronger than the slimmer males. Both sexes show a brown, almost black or greenish coloration and have spines on the sides. The males have a particularly large central spine
About 2-3 weeks after mating, females lay brown eggs about 8 mm long in the substrate with their laying spine. The incubation period is about 3-4 months. The newly hatched young are about 3 mm in size and usually beige to green in color. After the last moult (imaginal moult) the animals can live up to 18 months.
Important
For molting, they hang upside down in the branches or on the lattice cover and slide out of their old shell. Therefore, they need at least a whole body length including legs of free space below them
The males stand on their front legs when threatened or disturbed and fold up their spiny hind legs when touched, which can cause unpleasant wounds.
Before purchasing, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species specific needs. Good ventilation without drafts is necessary, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be installed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves
The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Special attention must be paid to thorough hygiene and impurities must be removed regularly
Further literature can be found in your pet store
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: SEILER, BRADLER, KOCH (2000): Ratgeber Phasmiden, Verlag Bede; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Harri Deutsch Verlag