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THE HIDE AND SEEK CHAMPION: THE WALKING STICK

By Cheryl Conley

Lake Creek Nature Preserve

In Mother Nature’s world where only the most cunning survive, the masters of disguise hold the winning hand. Insects and animals alike depend on their ability to remain unseen to ensure their continued existence. Take frogs and toads as an example. Their skin is often mottled with browns, greens and grays, providing excellent camouflage in leaves or near water. Owls blend into tree bark or foliage. The fur of rabbits and hares often matches the surrounding environment.

The walking stick is an example of an insect that is nearly impossible to spot. As the name implies, it looks like a stick. The body is divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They are wingless, have long, slender legs and long thread-like antennae. Normally they grow to about 4 inches long but there is one Texas species that grows to almost 7 inches long making it the longest insect in the United States. Everything is bigger in Texas, right?

One particular species of the walking stick insect, the two striped species, emits a milky, toxic spray to defend itself against ants, birds, possums, cats, even people. Aiming for the eyes, they can spray up to 15 inches with astonishing accuracy. The spray can cause serious injury to eyes with cases ranging from conjunctivitis to corneal ulceration. If you get sprayed, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

The opossum isn’t the only thing in nature that plays dead. The walking stick has been known to purposely fall from wherever it’s perched and lay completely still on the ground until the danger has passed. Another defense mechanism is swaying back and forth mimicking the movement of branches in the breeze.

What are walking sticks good for? Believe it or not, they play a very important ecological role especially in dense forested areas. Because they eat leaves, they create light gaps. These gaps allow sunlight to reach the ground. This helps new plants to grow. Consumption of leaves also encourages new growth.

What I find most interesting about these insects is that people actually keep them as pets. Apparently they are easy to care for. They don’t smell, they’re quiet, require minimal space and they’re fascinating to watch. Not for me!

Camouflage is one of many ways animals have to survive in their environments. I find the walking stick insect to be one of the most interesting examples of camouflage in the animal world. Now, go see if you can find one. Good luck.

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