Stick insect update - getting huge and finally managed to get them out of the enclosure! Plus, major scare! (pics)

They've been taking it in turns to shed, so I hadn't been able to take either one out for long enough to get a decent picture. Finally managed it yesterday! This is Twiglet:




I had her running up and down my arm, but couldn't get a picture because she was so quick!

To give an idea of size, that ivy leaf was about seven centimetres. I couldn't get her to hold still for long enough for me to measure her.

When I tried to get Sticky Bun out afterwards, I noticed she was laying on the bottom of the enclosure, rigid, legs pressed flat against her body. When I picked her up, she just rolled about in my hand. I was so upset, as I thought she was dead! Put her down on my bed and the crafty sticky got up and tried to scamper off!

I'd heard that they'll play dead, but they've never done it before!

Yes they have grown!

It's strange. I used to pick my stickies up no problem when they were this size, but couldn't do it now.

Weird feeling, isn't it? It made my hand feel strange!

I was young, I was fearless. I am neither now!

I'll probably be like that as well!

They're huge now   That wasn't very nice of Sticky Bun, wee prankster!   

I don't think I could hold them, knowing that they move fast would be too much lol.

The (almost) Great Escape!

They don't move especially fast, but it's fast enough. I'll try to take a video at some point, to show you!

 
That would be good to see, I've only seen them standing still and that was years ago.

I was tempted to go and get them out just now, but that would be mean. Not sure what their sleeping habits are, but I'm pretty sure they're resting right now!

Aww   

Maybe tomorrow!

Nawwh they are adorable!

Thanks! I'm very proud of them!

Dad has never been able to see them in their enclosure, so yesterday was the first time. He was shocked at how big they were.

Poor StickyBun - trying for her freedom and getting stuck back in jail. All the careful planning for nothing!     

 I daresay she'll try again next time!

I can just imagine them planning their freedom like in Finding Nemo.

I'm bored at work today so....   

Oh my gosh, what if Twiglet got lost after venturing too far out of the enclosure? And then Sticky Bun searched the entire house, looking for her? And they had to fight off evil dust bunnies and a huge, dopey dog! And then made it back to the enclosure before I noticed!

Now that would be an adventure! Move over, Nemo!

You should sell the idea to Pixar!

I would, but I'm just not sure I could trust them to do it justice.

Just a teensy question Eleanor - are you sure they're both females? I can't remember how to tell the difference, if indeed it is possible at all.

Watch out for eggs/babies!

Almost definitely females! Males are incredibly rare. If you do manage to find one, the special stick insect people (no idea what they're called) will often pay a lot of money to get him!

The females reproduce without males, so any month now I'll be swamped with eggs! The local pet shops will love me!

Did a little Google-ing to refresh my memory. There are no males, as far as researchers are aware, in the wild. They've only been found in captivity!

Well I'm flabbergasted. for the second time today. Immaculate conception in stick insects - whatever next. You're never too old to learn that's for sure.

I had no idea, until I started researching stickies before I got them! Thought, "Ooh, I'll try to get some of the same sex, so I don't have to deal with the eggs!" No such luck.

Another fun fact I remember from my obsession with Animal Planet - Komodo Dragons can also do it! I think it was something to do with population decline. If there are no males around for an extended period of time, the female can produce clone babies of herself!

This is so weird and goes against everything I ever believed in reproduction beyond plant life (and amoebas).