A hardy, long-bodied brown stick insect that is one of the most popular beginner phasmids. It reproduces parthenogenetically, so a single female will lay fertile eggs without a mate.
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Slender; females about 4-5 in (10-13 cm), males shorter and thinner.
Lifespan
1 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Vietnam and Southeast Asia
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Phasmatidae
Genus
Medauroidea
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)
Medauroidea extradentata is long, slender, and parthenogenetic in captivity — fertile eggs from lone females, so escape-proofing matters. Tall mesh enclosure with bramble/oak for food and perches.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Planted mesh terrarium
16 × 12 × 24 in, mesh, daily mist
A taller mesh terrarium with bramble/privet in water tubes, daily light misting (~70% RH), and a litter floor. Tolerates low-density groups; cull surplus eggs responsibly.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Planted display enclosure
24 × 18 × 30 in, planted, mesh top
A tall planted display with living food plants, varied climbing structure, and a bioactive floor. Generous height ensures clean moults for this slender species.
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 well-ventilated mesh or netted enclosure at least 3x the insect's body length tall to allow vertical molting (a 30x30x45 cm terrarium suits several). Keep at room temperature, 68-77F (20-25C), with moderate humidity (60-70%) maintained by a light daily misting. Good airflow is essential to prevent mold and fungal infections. No special lighting or UVB is needed; ambient room light on a normal day/night cycle is fine. Stable footing and height for molting matter more than enclosure footprint.
Substrate
Use a thin layer of paper towel, coco fiber, or a mix of soil and sand that can be kept lightly moist to buffer humidity and catch frass. Substrate is mainly for cleanliness and egg-laying; eggs (ova) drop to the floor and can be collected from it. Spot-clean droppings and replace the substrate periodically.
Equipment & setup
A tall mesh or screen-topped enclosure, a hand mister, and a spill-proof water container for cut foliage are the essentials. No heater is needed at normal room temperatures; avoid heat mats, which can dry out and overheat insects. No UVB or special lighting required. An optional small hygrometer helps track humidity.
Diet
An herbivore that feeds on bramble (blackberry/raspberry), rose, oak, hazel, ivy, and privet. Bramble is the staple and is available year-round. Provide fresh-cut foliage standing in a water container, plugging the opening so insects cannot fall in and drown. Replace leaves before they wilt and always offer young, soft growth for hatchlings (nymphs). Mist the leaves so the insects can drink droplets.
Behavior & temperament
A calm, slow-moving, nocturnal browser that relies on camouflage, holding still and swaying like a twig when disturbed. It is non-venomous, has no spines, and does not bite, making it safe and tolerant of gentle handling. Coax it onto your hand from below rather than grabbing it, as a startled insect may drop legs (autotomy). Best kept in small groups; it has no aggression toward conspecifics.
Health
Generally robust. The main risks are failed molts (from low humidity or inadequate vertical climbing space) and mold or mites (from poor ventilation or stale food). A stuck molt can cause lost or deformed limbs; lost legs partially regenerate at subsequent molts in nymphs. Adults live only a few months after maturing. Remove dead foliage and frass regularly to keep the enclosure clean and dry-aired.
Tips, DIY & hacks
This species is parthenogenetic, so even a lone female lays dozens of fertile eggs that hatch into females; be ready to rehome surplus and never release insects or eggs outdoors. This species is already established as an invasive walking stick in parts of California, which is exactly why escapes matter; non-native phasmids are regulated and a USDA PPQ 526 permit is legally required to keep or move many of them in the US (enforcement is uneven but the requirement is real). Incubate eggs on slightly damp substrate at room temperature. Mist in the evening to mimic natural activity.
