Not furry either, still lovely.
Thorny Devil Stick Insect
Eurycantha horrida
Also called Giant Thorny Devil Stick Insect, Giant Spiny Stick Insect, New Guinea Spiny Stick Insect
From Papua New Guinea (Popondetta region), New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Females 17-19 cm, males 14-16 cm (some sources give 12-15 cm for females and 9-12 cm for males)
Looks how to spot one
exoskeleton
A large, wingless stick insect with a thick, robust body that mimics bark or rotten wood. Both sexes are covered in sharp spines, but males have especially large, curved spines on their hind legs used for defence. Females have a larger abdomen with an ovipositor for laying eggs. Colour ranges from pale green in juveniles to brown, olive or dark green in adults.347
Personality what they are like
Males can be territorial and aggressive, especially around females. They defend themselves by raising their abdomen and snapping with spiny hind legs, which can pinch skin. They are nocturnal and spend the day motionless in groups. Not suitable for handling by children.134
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low activity needs. They are nocturnal and spend the day resting in groups. Provide vertical space for moulting and climbing at night.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. Keep enclosure humid (70-80% RH) with regular misting. Clean leftover food and droppings regularly. Handle with care using a soft brush or container, never by hand, to avoid painful pinches from male spines.14
Home where they are happiest
A tall, ventilated terrarium with a minimum of 40x40x60 cm for a small group. Provide cork bark tubes, bark slabs, branches, leaf litter and 8-10 cm of slightly moist substrate for egg laying. Maintain room temperature (18-25°C) and high humidity (70-80%). They are not legal to keep in Canada.134
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Herbivorous. Feed fresh, pesticide-free leaves such as bramble, raspberry, rose, oak, beech, hawthorn, ivy, guava, ficus, eucalyptus and cherry laurel. Replace food before leaves wilt.1345
Company who they like around
Can be kept in small groups, but males may become territorial and aggressive, especially with females present. They naturally congregate in groups during the day for protection. Separate injured or repeatedly disturbed individuals. Not legal to keep in Canada.134
The story where it all began
Eurycantha horrida was long considered the 'holy grail' of stick insects by enthusiasts, being almost impossible to obtain for decades. It was recollected in Popondetta, Papua New Guinea in 2021 and distributed to breeders in 2022/2023, quickly becoming established in European cultures. The species is native to rainforests of New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. Local people in Papua New Guinea have traditionally used the large hind leg spines of males as fishhooks.135
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Thorny Devil Stick Insect. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Thorny Devil Stick Insect?
Your Thorny Devil Stick Insect enjoys fresh leaves, and you should replace them before they wilt. The exact feeding schedule can vary, so ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet for guidance tailored to your insect's age and activity.
What does a Thorny Devil Stick Insect eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Thorny Devil Stick Insect is herbivorous and loves pesticide-free leaves like bramble, raspberry, rose, oak, beech, hawthorn, ivy, guava, ficus, eucalyptus, and cherry laurel. Never offer wilted leaves or any food that might contain pesticides, as these can be harmful.1345
How much space does a Thorny Devil Stick Insect need?
A tall, ventilated terrarium of at least 40x40x60 cm works well for a small group. Include cork bark tubes, branches, and 8-10 cm of slightly moist substrate for egg laying, giving your insect plenty of vertical climbing space.134
What temperature, light or water does a Thorny Devil Stick Insect need?
Keep the enclosure at room temperature between 18-25°C with high humidity of 70-80%. Regular misting provides the water they need, and they are nocturnal so bright light is not required.134
How often should I clean a Thorny Devil Stick Insect's home?
Clean leftover food and droppings regularly to keep the enclosure fresh. A full clean-out can be done less often, but spot cleaning every few days helps maintain good hygiene.14
Can a Thorny Devil Stick Insect live with others?
Yes, they can be kept in small groups and often rest together during the day. However, males can be territorial and aggressive, especially around females, so watch for signs of stress and separate any individuals that are repeatedly disturbed.134
How long does a Thorny Devil Stick Insect live?
Lifespan varies depending on species and care, so ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet for a reliable estimate for your specific insect.
Can I handle a Thorny Devil Stick Insect?
Handling is not recommended, especially for children, as males can pinch painfully with their spiny hind legs. If you need to move your insect, use a soft brush or container rather than your hands.14
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- richardsinverts.com: care sheet eurycantha horrida richardsinverts.comused for origin, length cm, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history
- audubonnatureinstitute.org: thorny devil stick audubonnatureinstitute.orgused for origin
- torontozoo.com: Thorny devil stick insect torontozoo.comused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, activity needs, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history, fun fact
- academy.herpeton.net: eurycantha calcarata academy.herpeton.netused for length cm, coat or body, temperament, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs
- br-choku.com: thorny devil stick insect br-choku.comused for length cm, lifespan years, best traits, diet basics, history, fun fact
- cincinnatizoo.org: thorny devil cincinnatizoo.orgused for lifespan years, fun fact
- vetverified.com: the complete guide to keeping giant spiny stick insects as pets vetverified.comused for coat or body, colours
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-02. Text is written in our own words from these sources.