Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Rickeezee]

Most strange; I had a message from a friend today, she had received through the post some insects, just her address on the box no name no sender details, she had not ordered them and does not know anyone with insects! Apart from me and I know I never sent them. She sent me some pics of them any ideas what they are please and how to look after them?
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[keiron]

they look to me like immature giant spiny stick insects - eurycantha calcarata or maybe another eurycantha species. i say immature as they have a large amount of green, adults are usually a rich dark brown colour.

as for care they are quite terrestrial for stick insects so provide a good layer of peat with a few cork bark hides. they will feed on the ususal stick insect foodplants - bramble, oak etc.

hope this helps!

[Rickeezee]

Cheers Keiron I will pass that on to my friend she will be happy, she is lucky, fancy having mystery insects sent!
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[keiron]

i know, i wish someone would send me mystery animals from time to time!

[Rickeezee]

[-Oli-H-]

Definately a Eurycantha species . Possibly E. calcarata , but the first picture looks a lot like a Eurycantha coriacea .

These unlike E. calcarata retain much of the green colouration through to adulthood . But I can't be certain as there are many different species .

Care for all is the same . Lots of Bramble and/or Oak as they can get through . Deep substrate . They also benefit from some sort of hide or a piece of corkbark . These are mainly active during the night . They also enjoy a heavy misting .
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-Oli-H-

[Rickeezee]

Cheers Oli!
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk