Giant spiny stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata)

Short answers

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

30×30×45 cm (a pair or small group; larger is better, rather ground-oriented).

Giant spiny stick insect: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night ~18 °C.

Giant spiny stick insect: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Giant spiny stick insect: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–18 months (figures range from 10–12 months to ~2 years).

Giant spiny stick insect: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

~18 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm (a pair or small group; larger is better, rather ground-oriented)

Substrate

Damp coco humus at least 5 cm; cork tubes, pieces of bark or a flowerpot as daytime hides on the floor

Feeding

Food

Bramble, oak, raspberry, ivy; adults like to drink misted droplets

Feeding interval

fresh leaves at all times; mist daily or every other day

Key facts

Adult size

females ~13–15 cm, males ~10 cm (stocky, wingless)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–18 months (figures range from 10–12 months to ~2 years)

Origin

New Guinea, the Solomon Islands (humid lowland forest)

Protection status

Not protected (not listed under CITES or German nature conservation law); commonly available captive-bred

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A group of several females is least stressful, since females are peaceful towards each other and even huddle together sociably by day. Keep only one male per enclosure or plan for a clear surplus of females (roughly two to three females per male): males fight over females with their spined hind legs and can seriously injure or even kill each other.

Notes

A ground dweller, in hides by day and active at night. The males have heavily spined hind legs: they pinch hard in defence and can break the skin – handle them carefully. It needs enough humidity for a good moult.

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Related species

• Annam stick insect (Ramulus artemis) – Beginner
• Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) – 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
• 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 spiny stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (a pair or small group; larger is better, rather ground-oriented)), substrate (Damp coco humus at least 5 cm; cork tubes, pieces of bark or a flowerpot as daytime hides on the floor), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.