Last week while I was staining our deck I had company. This bug, which I have always called a walking stick, but may go by other names, hung out on our siding for a couple of hours in the morning.
I caught a second photo of it as he/she wandered off.
After downloading my photos I realized I really didn’t know much about these creatures, so I did a little research. This article on sciencing.com provided some interesting facts.
- I was a bit surprised to learn that walking sticks are herbivores.
- They are mostly nocturnal, feeding at night and hiding under leaves and such during the day, so seeing one like this is a little unusual.
- I also read that there are over 3000 species of walking sticks. WOW!
- Probably the most interesting was the fact that in some species female walking sticks can reproduce without the aid of a male. All of her offspring will, however, be female.
For more information click here.
Have you ever seen a walking stick?
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Sometimes I see them up north where I live and they are so interesting up close. I think they are cute in their own special way. Great photo.
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They remind me of some type of alien. LOL.
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My first ‘pets’ ever were stick insects!!! I had them in a glass tank and had to collect leaves from a neighbour’s hedge. I remember they moved very, very slowly…
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I find the comments on this post to be quite educational. My husband was surprised at how many people have never seen a stick bug. I am more surprised at how many have had them as pets.
Are there certain leaves they like eating or will any green leaves do?
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I had a few stick insects as pets as a child, they’ll tame up nice and sit on your hand 🙂
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Interesting – they look pretty fragile. I think I would be afraid of hurting it.
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Hey Ruth, they are sturdier than you think .. well within reason – it’s their spindly legs that make them loo really fragile l think 🙂
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I’ve never seen one myself, but I’m happy you got that close-up–what a fascinating creature!
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Fascinating indeed. I’m glad you like the picture. 🙂
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I saw a walking stick last year when we visited our kids in Lincoln. They are actually kind of fun to see.
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They are so unique. I always think of the movie “Men In Black” when I see them. Are they some type of alien? LOL!
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Those were some interesting facts Ruth – I always tell you I learn something here at your blog. I’ve never seen a walking stick before but now I feel like I know them up close and personal.
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It seems they are normally quiet elusive. This one seemed to be an exception. I am happy to introduce you to him/her. 🙂
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It liked posing for you and was hoping to go inside as it will be getting colder soon. 🙂
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It made a very nice model but if it was looking for indoor accommodations it was knocking on the wrong door. 🙂
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My childhood friend had one as a pet. I didn’t know the reproduction fact. Interesting. Nature’s vengeance – you don’t need a man to reproduce, but a man you will create.
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I am not sure I understand why someone would have one as a pet. Then again I don’t understand pet spiders either. Actually if they reproduce without a male they don’t produce males.
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It served as a “unique” pet. That’s why.
Sorry. I misread. Thanks for setting me straight. Hmm…
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I thought you might have misread but first I had to check and make sure I had written it correctly. No biggie – it happens.
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I’ve never seen a walking stick. Yours looked interesting.
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Well I am glad you got to see mine. They are very odd looking. After reading that they are mostly nocturnal and how they camouflage themselves I wondered how many people have actually seen them. I usually see one on our deck at least once each summer.
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That’s amazing that you see walking sticks every year. Lucky you!
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I found it interesting that if they’ve been spotted they’ll fall to the ground just like a stick falling off a tree. They’re so interesting!
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They are – they largely survive by imitating nature. Thanks for visiting Michelle.
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