A large, robust, ground-dwelling spiny stick insect from New Guinea, popular for its impressive size and tactile, handleable nature. Males have a thickened, spined hind leg used in defense.
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Large, heavy-bodied; females about 5-6 in (13-15 cm), males with a large spined hind femur.
Lifespan
1–2 years
Social needs
group
Native region
New Guinea and nearby Melanesian islands
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Lonchodidae
Genus
Eurycantha
Part of the Stick & Leaf Insects
Phasmids (order Phasmatodea) kept as gentle, low-cost display insects prized for their twig- and leaf-mimicking camouflage. Most are herbivorous, non-venomous, and harmless to handle, feeding on bramble and other foliage, though many non-native species are regulated (a USDA PPQ 526 permit is required for many in the US) and must never be released outdoors.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Tall mesh enclosure
12 × 12 × 18 in (≥ 3× body length tall)
Eurycantha calcarata is a stocky, ground-active stick insect — provide vertical climbing for moulting but also bark hides and a deep coco-fibre floor for daytime shelter. Males have spined hind legs and can pinch — handle with care.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Planted terrarium with hides
18 × 12 × 20 in, deep substrate
A planted terrarium with deep coco/bark substrate, cork hides, climbing branches, and bramble/oak food plants. Moderate humidity (60–70%); females lay eggs in substrate so depth matters.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Bioactive display
24 × 18 × 24 in, bioactive, planted
A bioactive display with live plants, ample bark hides, deep substrate for egg-laying, and a cleanup crew. Generous footprint supports natural ground activity at night.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Insects begin as eggs, laid singly or in clusters on or near a food source. Egg size, shape, and incubation time vary widely; some are glued to surfaces, others inserted into plant tissue or soil.
Photo coming soon
Larva / Nymph
The immature stage either looks grub- or caterpillar-like and very different from the adult (a larva, in beetles, flies, and butterflies) or like a wingless miniature adult (a nymph, in roaches, mantises, and stick insects). It eats and molts repeatedly as it grows.
Photo coming soon
Pupa
In insects with complete metamorphosis, the larva pupates — often in a cocoon, chrysalis, or sealed cell — and its body is reorganized into the adult form. Nymph-developing insects skip a true pupa and molt straight to the adult.
Adult
The adult is the sexually mature, usually winged stage with the species' full coloration and form. Adults are typically the dispersing and reproducing stage, and in many insects do not grow further once mature.
Habitat & enclosure
House in a roomy, well-ventilated terrarium with floor space as well as height (a 45x45x45 cm enclosure suits a small group); unlike most phasmids this is a stout, ground-active species that uses hides. Keep at 72-82F (22-28C) with humidity around 70%, from daily misting. Provide cork-bark or hollow logs as daytime hides, since it shelters on the ground or in bark by day. No UVB or special lighting needed. Ensure adequate height for molting despite its terrestrial habits.
Substrate
Use 3-8 cm of moisture-retaining coco fiber or soil kept lightly damp; this ground-dwelling species spends time on the substrate and buries its eggs into it. Provide enough depth for females to lay eggs in the soil, where they can be left to incubate or collected. Spot-clean frass and keep one area slightly more humid.
Equipment & setup
A spacious, ventilated terrarium with cork-bark or log hides, a hand mister, and a spill-proof foliage container are the essentials. No heat mat is strictly needed at warm room temperature; if used, fit a thermostat and place it on the side. No UVB required. A hygrometer assists with humidity tracking.
Diet
An herbivore feeding on bramble (the year-round staple), oak, eucalyptus, ivy, and rose. Provide cut foliage in a plugged water container and refresh before wilting; this large species eats heavily. Hatchlings take soft young bramble. Mist foliage so the insects can drink droplets. A varied leaf selection helps support its bulk.
Behavior & temperament
Generally calm and notably tactile, often considered one of the more handleable stick insects, but males are armed: they have a large spur on the hind femur and can deliver a sharp, pinching squeeze by clamping the spined legs against a finger, which can break skin. It is non-venomous and does not bite. Handle males with care and support the body; it may also produce a defensive odor. Keep in groups, monitoring males for over-crowding squabbles.
Health
A hardy, forgiving species well suited to beginners. Main risks are failed molts (ensure vertical climbing space and humidity), mold or mites from poor ventilation, and minor injuries from the spined legs in crowded groups. Adults can live over a year, longer than many phasmids. Keep substrate from becoming waterlogged and remove frass regularly.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Buy a sub-adult if you want size quickly, and handle males cautiously because of the powerful spined hind leg, which can pinch hard enough to break skin. Eggs are laid in the substrate and incubate at room temperature over several months. Never release insects or eggs outdoors; non-native phasmids can be invasive and are regulated, with a USDA PPQ 526 permit required to keep many in the US. Provide ground hides to reduce stress in this shy-by-day species.
