Terrestrial Invertebrate atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the dense and humid tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Unlike the vast majority of stick insects that live high in the canopy, *Eurycantha calcarata* lives primarily on the ground or on fallen logs, hiding during the day in decaying leaf litter or wet wood crevices.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Phasmatidae, *Eurycantha calcarata* is distinguished from typical stick insects by its robust, heavily armored body rather than a twig-like appearance. No significant color morphs are established in the hobby, and the species reproduces both sexually and occasionally through parthenogenesis.

Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and highly gregarious, often clustering together under wood during the day. If disturbed, they emit a strong, unpleasant chemical odor, and the male will raise his abdomen defensively and open his hind legs to ward off potential threats.

Morphology: They resemble robust pieces of dark bark. Females are larger (up to 15 cm), olive-brown, and possess a beak-like ovipositor at the end of the abdomen. Males are slimmer, darker, and are characterized by hypertrophied femoral spurs on their hind legs.

Terrarium Setup: Requires a wide, low terrarium (minimum 60x45x45 cm). Place hollow cork bark logs on the floor as daytime shelters. Use a deep substrate (5-7 cm) of damp peat mixed with sand for the females to bury their eggs.

Lighting and Heating: Maintain daytime temperatures between 22 and 26°C, with a nighttime drop to 20°C. A natural diffused light cycle is required. Avoid direct sources of excessive heat.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain a relative humidity of 70% to 80% through daily misting in the evening. This allows the insects to drink from droplets accumulated on leaves and facilitates proper molting.

Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly herbivorous. They feed voraciously on fresh leaves of bramble (blackberry), ivy, oak, and hazel. It is essential that the foliage is pesticide-free and kept fresh in a container of water.

Compatibility: Highly tolerant and gregarious with others of their own species. They can be kept in groups in spacious enclosures. They should not be housed with predators or very active insects that could disturb them during molting.

Health and Common Diseases: Avoid rough handling of males due to their femoral spurs. Ensure sufficient vertical clearance above branches so they can hang vertically during molting, preventing permanent physical deformities.