Arkansas Walking Sticks

[darc]

Wow... reading the only other thread in this forum it sounds like walking sticks are crazy rare... that's not the case in Arkansas.

Granted, they are VERY well camoflaged, but I usually find 10 to 20 walking sticks each year without looking (though, I've been told I'm an observant person... and I'm definitely a naturalist).

Hell, I live in the middle of town these days and found four or five while mowing and trimming the bushes this past year... when I go camping it's worse : )

But, as far as I know (to reflect on the other post), walking sticks are far from endangered in Arkansas (again, I can only speak for Arkansas regulations, to the best of my knowledge). But, walking sticks have always freaked me out a bit anyway, so I've never tried to take one home. That, in and of itself, is kind of weird... since I'm cool with snakes and spiders, but walking sticks make my skin crawl for some reason... I'll hold them, but it's a force of will, and god forbid one fall out of a tree onto my neck (happened last year while Dove hunting)... you haven't seen dancing until you've seen that : D

-darc

[beckdg]

are you talking about north american walking sticks?
or is there something i'm missing?
there are many others that are very interesting, mostly tropical. the larger ones may go good in a frog viv of some sort, tall of course with an arboreal attraction as well... for the bugs.

i know i know i'm crazy... never mix... but i am very eccentric and love going to the edge with everything i do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am really starting to get into the leafy guys and may eventually create an enclosure to hold my fish, amphibians, couple large bugs, a reptile or 2+ and maybe a bird or 2.

i want to go biiiiiiggggggg, henceforth, lots and lots of reasearch!
the way it's going now frogs are a definite maybe... many very beautiful specimens available and affordable... we'll see!

i also want it inside, but will probably have to go outside as i will never be able to afford a multi-million dollar home.

this means building a 1 room house complete with insulation, heater/ac, and all amenities... waterfall, mister, rain, auto refill system w/ro filter, veggie garden... etc. etc. etc.!

i mean big!

anyway enough ranting i'll show you what i'm looking for (leaf bugs/spiny sticks).
What manner of beast is a phasmid? - Where Light Meets Dark (www.wherelightmeetsdark.com)
Windows to the Universe

Ceylon leaf insect :: leaf insect -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Image:Australian Leaf Insect, portrait.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Spiney leaf insect - "Extatosoma tiaratum" photo - Keith Power photos at pbase.com

should be interesting viewing... was for me

p.s. if this is not what you're talking about, please post pics.

[darc]

Ah, yes, I'm talking about the plain-jane North American walking stick... not near as cool as the ones you posted about : )

Pic :


The habitat you describe sounds freaking awesome... I want to see it if you get around to building it.
-darc

[Austin]

Beck, If you ever create a enclosure like that. You'd need to watch out for the birds.... They'd just eat everything else in the tank.

[beckdg]

that is one of my major concerns and any bugs would have to be big as well as small birds... maybe 1 - 2 finches. maybe chilean rose or something instead ... will have to compromise somewhere as a tarantula may eat some of the other lil guys... henceforth the research!!!!

also correct hiding spots will definitely be crucial as is in my fish tanks!

[Allyn]

Originally Posted by darc

Ah, yes, I'm talking about the plain-jane North American walking stick... not near as cool as the ones you posted about : )

Pic :


The habitat you describe sounds freaking awesome... I want to see it if you get around to building it.
-darc

Look out it's got a gun!

what can they eat besides rose cuttings? we have a whole bunch at the museum I am interning at and we dont have anything else we know they will eat

[beckdg]

here's some reference material... they all contain a feeding section:

Stick Insect caresheet - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES)
Stick Insects as Pets
Care of Indian Stick Insects (carausius morosus)
How to keep a pet spiny leaf insect
Stick Insects
Leaf Insect caresheet - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES)

looks like blackberry (bramble) and oak are your best options.

[Allyn]

Thanks!!!

[beckdg]

no prob

[Lil' Swimz$]

Those look so different then the one I saw here in Wisconsin. It was pretty thick and was the exact same length along its body. Its body had 3 clear segments. And its head and butt were green.

EDIT: By clear I mean you could see it easily.