Extatosoma tiaratum

Sold as the giant prickly stick insect The stick insect with attitude. These spiny insects reach 5 to 6 inches, and when threatened they curl the abdomen over the back to mimic a scorpion. It is pure bluff: they generally tolerate handling better than most stick insects, though any stick insect is easy to injure, so go gently. Keep it at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 to 80 percent humidity and fresh blackberry, oak, rose, hawthorn or eucalyptus leaves; never use leaves from florists or garden centers, which are often sprayed. A lone female can still produce young. Males have full wings and the females do not. Plan on about a year of company.