Giant Prickly Stick Insect — Fact Sheet
Extatosoma tiaratum · Giant Prickly Stick Insect
📋 At a glance
| Adult size | 10-15 cm |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Activity | nocturnal |
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Legal | CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local biosecurity rules still apply |
| Humidity | 50-70%; molt support 65-80% |
| Egg incubation | 120-270 days |
🏠 Enclosure
- 45 x 45 x 60 cm. Use this as a minimum for a small group, with secure fine mesh, fresh food stems in covered water, and open hanging space for molts.
🌡️ Temperature
- ambient air: 20-26°C
- night: 18-22°C
🪳 Feeding
- eucalyptus, bramble, raspberry, rose, oak, hawthorn, pyracantha. Keep safe host leaves available at all times, replace wilted stems promptly, and avoid pesticide-treated or roadside cuttings.
🩺 Health — warning signs
- Watch for failed molts, mold, mites, dehydration, pesticide exposure, escapes, food refusal, injuries, and unexplained nymph losses.