Indian Stick Insect Care Guide (Carausius morosus) PSG 1

• Southern Indian Montane Origins: Native to the humid, high-altitude forests of the Tamil Nadu region in Southern India. Biologically, they are adapted to a cool-temperate tropical climate, which is why they thrive so effortlessly in UK homes without the need for supplemental heating. This highland heritage makes them one of the most resilient and forgiving species for new keepers.

 

• Anatomy and Appearance: The Indian Stick Insect is a master of mimicry, possessing an elongated, wingless body that perfectly replicates the texture and form of a small twig. Adult females typically reach a length of 8–10cm and are characterised by their smooth, matt exoskeleton which ranges in colour from a pale lime-green to a deep, bark-brown. A distinctive biological marker of this species is the bright red patches located on the inner base of their front legs; these are often hidden when the insect is at rest but serve as a flash of "startle colouration" to confuse predators if the insect is forced to move. Their slender antennae and delicate, spindly legs further enhance their camouflage, allowing them to remain virtually invisible amongst the foliage of the Indian sub-continent.

 

 

• Mastery of Catalepsy: To avoid detection by birds, Indian Stick Insects have mastered "catalepsy," or "playing dead." When threatened, they fold their legs tightly against their body and enter a rigid, trance-like state, appearing exactly like a fallen twig. This survival mechanism is a fascinating behaviour to observe, especially in younger nymphs.

 

• Low-Maintenance Feeding: One of the key reasons for their popularity is their unfussy diet. They will happily thrive on Bramble, Ivy, Privet, or Hawthorn, which remain green and accessible throughout the UK winter. Providing a fresh supply of water-misted leaves allows them to hydrate naturally while maintaining ambient humidity. This is also one of the very few species of stick insect that can solely live on ivy without being affected by toxins.

 

• Gentle Temperament: These are among the most passive insects available. They do not possess spines or defensive secretions, making them the safest choice for educational environments or younger enthusiasts who are learning how to handle invertebrates with care.

 

• The "Parthenogenetic" Powerhouse: One of the most remarkable traits of C. morosus is that males are almost non-existent in the hobby. Instead, females reproduce via parthenogenesis—the ability to produce fertile eggs without mating. This means a single female can establish an entire colony, providing an incredible, continuous look at the life cycle of a phasmid.

• Adult size: 5-10cm
• Lifespan: 1 year
• Status: captive bred
• Place of Origin: Tamil Nadu, India, now worldwide through cultures
• Parthenogenetic: yes
• Temperature: 20-24˚C
• Humidity: 60-80%
• Diet: Privet, Ivy, Hawthorn, Bramble, Rose, Oak, Hazel

 

• Special requirements: Extremely easy species to care for, but lay a tonne of eggs. Use kitchen towel and not substrate for the bottom of the cage so you easily spot and remove eggs!

The EntoScapes Way

 

• We like to keep our stick insects around 20-22˚C and humidity ranges between 60-65%, but these will do just fine at average room temperature so long as the humidity is kept in the higher ranges which aids the moulting process.

 

• Enclosure size should be at least 3 times the length of the body of the insect in height, and at least 2x the length of the insect in width. If housing different suitable species together, use the largest individual as a guide. A group of 5-10 individuals will live together just fine in a 30x60cm enclosure. 1-2 individuals can live in a 20x20x30cm enclosure. 

 

• We use a mesh enclosure, like the ones designed for keeping butterflies, as we find the mesh provides excellent cross-ventilation. As these invertebrates are arboreal, its important to try and replicate these conditions in captivity. Alternatively, a tall glass or plastic enclosure can be used if it has adequate cross ventilation, and humidity can be maintained by mist spraying the enclosure 2-3 times a week. We add a variety of hardwood branches as décor and to provide a more natural, enriching habitat 

 

• We like to line the floor of the enclosure with some paper towels which catch the faeces and absorb excess moisture, reducing the chances of mould. The light colouration of the tissue also helps with spotting eggs and differentiating them from droppings.

 

• Once a week we replace the tissue and separate out eggs from poo. It is important to mention that we only collect as many eggs as we can care for, the remainder are frozen to prevent hatching. Eggs can be incubated in moist sphagnum moss at 20-22˚C and can take between 2-6 months to hatch. 

 

• We like to gather our own foodplants for our stick insects from local parks and forests which we know are safe and have minimal or no pesticide use. We suggest picking branches with leaves that are away from the main path, higher than ground level, and are healthy and free from signs of fungal infections and disease. Generally, if the leaves are green, intact and have other little critters living on them, then you are good to go!  

 

• We cut the branches at a length that is 10cm or so less than the height of the enclosure which ensures there is a suitable gap at the top for stick insects to moult if the choose to do it there. The branches are soaked in water for 15-20 minutes to remove any surface debris and hitchhikers. The end of the branches are placed in a jar of fresh water to keep the cuttings fresher for longer. We push some paper towel into the top of the jar to close off the opening which prevents any smaller stick insects from drowning, but you can use sponges or alternatively non-spill paint pots.

 

• Once a week we replace the branches with fresh ones, but this can vary for different hobbyists. You will want to change the branches once they have gone limp and start to look dry. Stick insects will only eat live leaves, so its important to keep on top of food changes. 

• More in depth info on shipping and returns can be found on the shipping and T&Cs, and FAQ page

 

• Our shipping rates are determined by the total weight of your cart at checkout.

 

The shipping bands are:

• 0-1kg - £4.99

• 1-2kg - £5.99

• 2-10kg - £7.99

• 10kg+ - £9.99

 

• Live orders and dry goods will be posted every TUESDAY. We will contact you if anything changes due to bad weather or delays. 

 

• LIVE ORDERS- sent with Royal Mail Tracked 24 and usually arrive next day after dispatch 

 

• DRY GOODS & ENCLOSURES- sent with Royal Mail Tracked 48 and usually arrive 2 working days after dispatch. We will contact you regarding a dispatch day for enclosure orders.