A small, easy to keep, hardy and robust species; ideal for beginners.
| Origin | Philippine island of Palawan |
|---|---|
| Environment | Coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest |
| Adult Size | Up to 5cm |
| Suitability | Novice keeper |
| Lifespan | Up to 5 years |
| Food Type | Bramble, Hawthorne, Pyracantha, Hazelnut, Strawberry, Oak |
A small, non-winged, torpedo shaped species which has two pairs of triangular shaped spines present along the flanks. Adult females are the larger of the two sexes and can reach lengths of up to 5cm. The body colour is varying shades of brown to dark red. White patches are sometimes present on the dorsal and black spotting can be found on the venter.
This species are beleived to only be found on the Philippine island of Palawan.
Housing this species is very easy, they require a screen cage or glass tank (with mesh lid) of at least 30cm in height (to allow for successful moulting). They do require some warmth and we'd advise maiintaining them between 22-25 C (72 -77 F). If temperatures drop below this for long periods then some external heating equipment may be required.
Provide a high level of humidity by spraying the enclosure at least twice weekly with a hand or pressure sprayer. You will find these stick insects drink moisture from the food plant leaves and benefit from the increased humidity when moulting their skin.
Provide a good layer of soil based substrate at the base of the enclosure to help raise the relative humidty.
Chocolate log stick insects will eat a variety of different plant matter including, Bramble, Hawthorne, Pyracantha, Hazelnut, Strawberry and Oak (we favour bramble for this species). Collect the food from areas where pesticides are unlikely to have been used and cut the stems to approximately the correct height for the enclosure. Place your chosen food type in an empty glass jar half filled with water, this will prevent the plant matter from wilting. Change the food weekly or more frequently if required.
