Stick insects are insects that are of the order Phasmatodea. They are known and named for the fact they look like sticks. They are also known by varius stick related names suck as: Stick Bug, Walking Stick, etc. They can grow to giant size, the longest (a chinese stick insect) measuring in at 62cm long. Most that are sold in pet shops and such are around 7 to 10 inches long full grown.

Despite their large size, stick insect eggs are rather tiny being less than a fingernail in length usually. Stick insect eggs are designed to look like seeds and can survive being passed through a birds digestive system.

Although stick insects may look intimidating to some they tend to be gentle giants. Some even enjoy being handled but this depends on species and temper. Like dogs some stick insects are simply born more friendly or more agresive. They do a little "dance" when they walk and can be great pets for the right person.

They are NOT however good pets for children however. Children should not handle them as both child and bug could get hurt. Stick insects when threatened, will bite, scratch with their legs or spikes and some of them will spray acid that can blind temporaily if gotten in eyes and will iritate skin. Animals such as cats and dogs should also be kept away from your stick insect for these reasons.

They are great pets if you love odd and exotic creatures. They live up to two years (sadly the average is less than one) and are loyal and facinating companions.

With all animals habitat is important for well being, stick insects are no different. It is important to have a secure, well sized habitat for your buddy.

In terms of size your container should always have enough space for them to comfortably climb and walk around. They are called walking sticks for a reason after all! Although your stick insect may seem to never move when you look at it, stick insects are actually extremly actice creatures who require exercise. The species being nocturnal however means if you sleep at night you may never see them moving.

Stick insects tend to be fusy eaters. They will only eat certain plants and these plants change depending on species. Lettuce tends to be a good option for food for them but iceberg lettuce is specifically hated by them and has no nutrient value anyway being mostly water. Privet and bramble leaves tend to be their favorite.

If you can vary your stick insects diet you should. Good foods to supplement their diet are apples, cuccumber, carrot peels and wood shavings.

Stick insects will sometimes try to consume things that are not edible or poisonous to them. This is very hard to prevent as they seem to have a strong desire to eat things such as spiders, wasps, plastic, string, anything you are wearing, colored paper and nail polish. All of the examples listed were some of the things my first pet stick insect: Sticky managed to eat. A good rule of thumb is if you think they could eat it, keep it away from them unless non-toxic. Although the worst I have ever seen was some very strange and upsetting poop (Sticky died of old age), I would not recommed risking it.

Having a well balanced diet for your buddy and misting them daily will help them have good molts, grow well, have good color, and most importantly longer lives.

Good Foods:

• Lettuce
• Privet and bramble leaves
• Rose leaves
• Ivy

Good Supplements

• Carot peels
• Apple
• Wood shavings
• Cucumber

Stick insects of the same species can live together, however them being similar size and age will reduce any chances of aggression or cannibalism. Stick insects frankly do not care about each other that much and keeping them together or apart is more of a personal preference. If kept together you must monitor them to make sure all are getting equal amounts of food and are not crowded or being walked on by others.

Stick insects can get bored. Keeping them together may provid stimulation for them, however some other ways to keep them entertained is with toys such as sticks and hides to climb on or around. When using toys for your stick insect make sure they are washable and non-toxic as they will both defecate on them and chew on them. Handling may also provide entertainment for them but it depends on the specific bug.

Although load noises and lots of movement will prodive stimulation for your stick insect: this may stress them out. They may get overwhelmed and being a prey species they have hardwired instinct to avoid predators that may cause them to believe load noises are predators.

Good stimulation for them should be controled. You should have full control of the enviroment and if your stick insect shows signs of distress such as freezing up, running (away) from you or attacking.

PS: I have mine watch netflix.

Stick insect eggs look like seeds and are incredibly hardy. When disposing of eggs make sure to crush them as they can survive and hatch somewhere if you just throw them out.

DO NOT POUR THEM OUT OUTSIDE!

Stick insects are an invasive species in a lot of places due to how good they are at survival. Your dancing friend may not look like it but they are a potential ecological disaster, especially since they reproudce asexually. Stick insects can even stay in the egg for longer periods if they don't find the conditions good for hatching.

If you want to raise a few of the critters, take only a small amount of eggs (I would recommend five). Put these eggs in a cointainer of their own so they don't get eaten by the adults. Mist them once a week and throw out any that break or grow mold. Within a few months you should have a miniture stick insect.

Have fun with your new friend!