Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)

Short answers

Giant prickly stick insect: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 40×40×60 cm for 1–2 adult animals (height at least three times body length — moulting happens while hanging); correspondingly larger for groups.

Giant prickly stick insect: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C (20–28 °C tolerated), at night 18–22 °C (not permanently below 18 °C).

Giant prickly stick insect: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed; normal room lighting or daylight is enough.

Giant prickly stick insect: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 12–18 months, males approx. 5–6 months.

Giant prickly stick insect: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C (20–28 °C tolerated)

Night temperature

18–22 °C (not permanently below 18 °C)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed; normal room lighting or daylight is enough

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×40×60 cm for 1–2 adult animals (height at least three times body length — moulting happens while hanging); correspondingly larger for groups

Substrate

Kitchen paper or slightly damp soil, coco humus or sand and moss; climbing branches for shedding upside down

Feeding

Food

A leaf-eater: mainly bramble and raspberry (Rubus), also oak, rose, hazel, firethorn, salal, eucalyptus and strawberry; stand the fresh leaves in water

Feeding interval

always offer fresh food leaves (continuous feeding); replace the leaves 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

females approx. 12–15 cm (stocky, spined), males approx. 9–11 cm (slender, able to fly)

Life expectancy

females approx. 12–18 months, males approx. 5–6 months

Origin

Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales) and New Guinea; tropical to subtropical, arboreal

Protection status

No CITES or special protection; widely available captive-bred

Brumation

None (keep them warm all year)

Cohabitation

Group keeping is straightforward – peaceful plant-eaters with no territoriality. Mind the space and food supply; a balanced sex ratio is recommended. (Documented as group-tolerant.)

Notes

A classic beginner's stick insect. Parthenogenesis is possible – unfertilised females produce only female clones. Sufficient height is essential: the moult happens hanging upside down, and too low an enclosure leads to moulting failures and deformities. The nymphs mimic ants. It eats its old skin after moulting. It can shed legs when threatened (autotomy).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Annam stick insect (Ramulus artemis) – Beginner
• Brueckner's stick insect (Trachyaretaon brueckneri) – Beginner
• Ceylon leaf insect (Phyllium bioculatum) – Intermediate
• Chan's megastick (Phobaeticus chani) – Expert
• Giant spiny stick insect (Aretaon asperrimus) – Beginner
• Giant spiny stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) – Beginner
• Jungle nymph (Heteropteryx dilatata) – Intermediate
• Common leaf insect (Phyllium siccifolium) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×40×60 cm for 1–2 adult animals (height at least three times body length — moulting happens while hanging); correspondingly larger for groups), substrate (Kitchen paper or slightly damp soil, coco humus or sand and moss; climbing branches for shedding upside down), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.