🐾 LandCare difficulty: AdvancedLegal complexity: High — restricted in many states
Lord Howe Island stick insect
Dryococelus australis
The Lord Howe Island stick insect, nicknamed the 'tree lobster,' was thought extinct after rats invaded its island home, until a tiny population was rediscovered on a remote sea stack. It is now bred in captivity in a celebrated rescue effort.
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your lord howe island stick insect?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
Quick facts
| Size | Large, heavy stick insect to ~15 cm, sometimes called the 'tree lobster'. |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years |
| Native region | Lord Howe Island group, Australia |
| Climate | ⛅ Subtropical |
| Genus | Dryococelus |
Habitat & enclosure
Originally abundant on Lord Howe Island until ship rats arrived in 1918 and apparently wiped it out. A handful of survivors were later found clinging to a single shrub on the precipitous Ball's Pyramid sea stack. Captive-breeding colonies at zoos now safeguard the species pending island rat eradication and reintroduction. It is strictly protected; this profile is conservation/education only.
Diet
A herbivore feeding on the foliage of host shrubs; captive colonies are reared on suitable plant foliage by specialists. Its dependence on specific vegetation shaped both its decline and its recovery plan.
Behavior & temperament
Nocturnal and flightless, pairs are unusually social, with males sheltering protectively near females. Its dramatic rediscovery and captive-breeding turnaround have made it a global emblem of invertebrate conservation and island restoration.
Reviewed and signed off by: KinStation Editorial — conservation profile (pending DVM/biologist review)