Titan stick insect facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Titan stick insect |
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A titan stick insect | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Subfamily: |
Phasmatinae
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Genus: |
Acrophylla
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Species: |
A. titan
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Binomial name | |
Acrophylla titan Macleay, 1827
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The Titan stick insect (scientific name: Acrophylla titan) is one of the biggest stick insects you can find in Australia. These amazing insects are known for their long, brown bodies, which can have small spikes on their necks. They can grow to be very long, sometimes up to 27 centimeters (about 11 inches)!
Titan stick insects are masters of disguise. They look so much like a twig or a branch that it's hard for predators to spot them. This helps them stay safe in their natural home.
Where They Live
You can find the Titan stick insect in two states of Australia: Queensland and New South Wales. They live in forests and woodlands, blending in perfectly with the trees and bushes.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Titan stick insects reproduce through sexual reproduction. This means a male and a female insect mate to create offspring. The female lays eggs, which then hatch into tiny stick insects called nymphs. These nymphs grow bigger by shedding their skin several times until they become full-grown adults.