Indian stick insect (Carausius morosus)

Short answers

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

30×30×40 cm (well ventilated).

Indian stick insect: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–24 °C, at night ~18–20 °C.

Indian stick insect: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Indian stick insect: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 12 months.

Indian stick insect: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–24 °C

Night temperature

~18–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

nymphs 60–80 %, adults 40–60 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×40 cm (well ventilated)

Substrate

Kitchen paper or coco humus; slightly damp

Feeding

Food

Bramble, ivy, oak, privet, lettuce

Feeding interval

fresh leaves at all times; mist regularly (drinking water)

Key facts

Adult size

females ~8–10 cm, males (very rare) ~6 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 12 months

Origin

Southern India

Protection status

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

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group (colony keeping) is usual and unproblematic; the females reproduce without males and are not cannibalistic. The drawback is the strong reproduction: if it gets too crowded, moulting problems arise, so remove eggs regularly and keep numbers small. Single housing is also possible; nymphs and adults can be separated so that moulting stays undisturbed.

Notes

The classic, extremely easy-care beginner's and school species. It lays up to about 1,000–1,200 individual eggs on the ground. Undemanding; room temperature is enough, and no heat source is needed.

Do you keep this species?

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• Chan's megastick (Phobaeticus chani) – Expert
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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Indian stick insect (Carausius morosus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 cm (well ventilated)), substrate (Kitchen paper or coco humus; slightly damp), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.