Care Sheet for InsectsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 01/24/2005 |
Main Category: | Non-Reptile/Amphibian |
Sub Category: | Insects |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | InvertsMad |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Indian Stick Insect |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Male Indian sticks are extremely rare. If the insect is smaller and darker than the rest of the sticks, you could well have a male. Females should be dark green/light brown.
Mating is not required to breed these Sticks. The females lay hundreds of fertilized eggs in their lifetime and most of them will hatch and survive. The hatch rate is very prolific, which is why, unless you want to be over run with baby insects, you should dispose of some of the eggs. DO NOT CHUCK THEM IN THE BIN! They may hatch and starve to death! Ways of disposing of eggs: feed them to tropical fish/boil them/freeze them. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | I just put paper down at the bottom of their net cage. Compost/peat/vermiculite etc... can clog their delicate feet up so is NOT advisable.
The should not have dishes of water as it is easy for them to drown. However, mist spray them 2/3 times a week. |
Lighting and UVB: | None is required. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Normal room temperature is suitable for these Sticks, although they are hardy so will tolerate drops/rises. High humidity is not needed-mist spray 2/3 times a week. |
Heating and Equipment: | A heat mat is not needed unless you live in a v. cold area. If you live in/around London, you shouldn’t need extra heating. Just be sure to keep them in a heated room. |
Caging Provided: | This species does need high ventilation so large net cages are the best. The bigger the better. |
Diet: | Herbivorous |
Description of Diet: | Ivy, Privet, Bramble (a favourite of nearly all Stick Insects). I find babies prefer privet as the leaves aren’t as tough to eat. When they’re older and bigger, I give them ivy. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | N/A |
Maintenance: | Mist spray 2/3 times a week. Refresh food around once a week, although more often in warmer weather. |
Some Words on this Species: | Do NOT cramp loads of insects in a small cage as they do have a well known habit of chewing each others’ limbs. Having said this, do ensure you keep them communally as single specimens will become depressed and lonely.
Note: (this applies to most sticks) Once a stick insect has been fed a particular plant for a while, it is reluctant to change to eating a different one. Therefore, tip: give a varied diet! |
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