Imagine an insect the size of a small mouse watching you curiously from its terrarium. This is not science fiction, but a very real pet — a giant grasshopper. Keeping such an unusual creature at home is becoming increasingly popular among lovers of exotic animals.
These large, mostly tropical insects are truly impressive in size and calm temperament. They do not require walking or extremely complex equipment, but they do have their own special needs.
Proper care for such a grasshopper is, first and foremost, understanding its nature. It is about creating a comfortable microcosm that will remind it of its native warm lands. Not only does its life depend on this, but also your ability to observe the interesting behavior of this amazing creature.
Habitat and lifestyle
One of the largest grasshoppers known to the world today, it inhabits the tropical forests of New Guinea, as well as the Aru Islands and the northern Cape York Peninsula in the far northeast of Australia.
Its size may scare those who are not used to seeing such large insects. However, there is no need to be afraid of it. It is completely harmless to humans. Many enthusiasts keep giant grasshoppers in terrariums without worrying about their size at all.
Note: The only drawback of this amazing creature is the loud sounds it makes, similar to automatic gunfire.
In nature, the largest representative of its species prefers to live near swamps, in wet meadows, forest edges, and grassy areas, which is natural for insects. They most often live in the crowns of trees. They rarely descend to the ground, and when they do, it is usually the females laying eggs.
Giant grasshopper
Important! Despite its size, the grasshopper is quite unpretentious and can easily become the first pet for those who are just beginning to take an interest in terrariums. It is enough to create ideal living conditions and maintain them.
Appearance
The grasshopper is quite large. Its body length can reach 12 cm, and its wingspan sometimes reaches 25 cm. In terms of size, it can be compared to a newborn kitten, which undoubtedly impresses those who encounter it for the first time.
The grasshopper has long legs and large wings folded on the sides of its body. Outwardly, it resembles a tree leaf. This peculiar coloration is designed by nature for better camouflage in the wild. Predators are practically not interested in it, as it is almost invisible.
Macrolyristes corporalis
The color of the grasshopper is standard — bright green or slightly yellowish. There are no wide variations in shades. The wings have a glossy sheen. The pronotum is elongated upward and backward, forming a long and wide curved hood-like, hollow inside, chitinized shield that extends far above the elytra.
Its legs are covered with small spines. Its shins have an auditory organ that amplifies sounds of certain frequencies and ultrasound. Despite their long limbs and wings, they hardly ever jump or fly.
As for sexual characteristics, it is almost impossible to distinguish between females and males. It is necessary to observe the behavior of the grasshopper during the breeding (courtship) period. The male will be more active.
Giant grasshopper
It is impossible to determine gender more accurately without special equipment, which often prevents breeders from making the right choice when buying.
Housing conditions, care
Grasshoppers are quite unpretentious. With proper care, the lifespan of a female is up to 1 year, and a male up to 6 months.
A terrarium measuring at least 60×70×90 cm is required to keep these animals. Good ventilation is essential. Install an LED lamp at the top. Be sure to fill the bottom of the terrarium with substrate. Use a variety of branches, sticks, and stones to create an imitation of a natural habitat. You can also plant the terrarium with plants. However, be prepared for the fact that branches, plants, and other natural materials may be eaten or chewed by your pet.
The insect does not need a water dispenser. It will collect drops from walls and plant leaves as needed. It does not need more water than that.
The comfortable temperature for keeping them is +25-26 degrees Celsius. Spray the substrate and walls of the terrarium regularly. Do not allow temperature fluctuations, as this can negatively affect your pet's health. To do this, install a special thermometer that will help you monitor the temperature. The terrarium is heated with special lamps. All wires must be outside.
Tropical Leaf Katydid
Important! Also monitor humidity. It should vary between 70 and 80%. Grasshoppers live in nature near swampy areas or in places with high humidity, so maintaining these conditions is very important to ensure a comfortable and long life for the insect.
Clean the terrarium daily. Frequent spraying can lead to mold growth on food debris, which can then spread to other areas.
Hooded Katydid (Siliquofera grandis)
The giant katydid is very undemanding in terms of care. It is easy to look after, making it one of the simplest terrarium pets.
Feeding features
In nature, the giant katydid is quite undemanding in terms of food—it eats whatever it can catch. Its diet mainly consists of small insects. If the hunt is unsuccessful and this unusual predator is left without prey, it can feast on tree leaves, flowers, buds, and other vegetation.
In rare cases, when food is scarce, grasshoppers may eat weaker members of their own species.
What to feed a grasshopper
Since grasshoppers are active at night, they only eat in the moonlight. Therefore, you will not be able to feed them during the day. For feeding at home, you can offer your pet small insects and larvae, which you can purchase at a pet store. For example, amphipods of the genus Gammarus.
Giant grasshoppers kept in captivity also enjoy eating the bark of raspberries, blackberries, rose hips, plums, oak and red oak leaves, and oatmeal. Don't forget about plant-based foods such as fruit. They will enjoy orange slices, pieces of apple, cucumber, and carrot.
Caring for giant grasshoppers
Important! It is recommended to feed grasshoppers once every 2-3 days or every other day. It is best to feed them in the evening. Put the food in the terrarium and remove the leftovers in the morning. This will help you maintain optimal cleanliness.
Reproduction
Throughout their lives, giant grasshoppers mate repeatedly. The most favorable period is spring and summer. Before mating, the individuals exchange special signals and courtship behaviors.
After mating, the female lays her eggs vertically or at a slight angle into the ground. One cycle can take more than an hour. The eggs are large, up to 20 mm in size. The number of eggs laid can reach 400.
The incubation period lasts up to 3 months. After the larvae appear, it can take from 1 to 6 months.
In captivity, giant grasshoppers reproduce quite readily. To do this, it is necessary to place a pair in a separate terrarium and create ideal conditions, increasing their food supply. During the mating season, it is best not to disturb the grasshoppers unnecessarily. There is no need to create special conditions for mating.
Photo of a grasshopper
A giant grasshopper is not just an exotic pet, but a fairly unpretentious inhabitant of a home terrarium, if the right conditions are created for it. It needs a spacious container with good ventilation, warmth, and moderate humidity, and a diet of fresh leaves, vegetables, and water. The main thing is not to overwater the environment and keep it clean to avoid health problems. With careful care, such a grasshopper can live for several months, demonstrating a calm disposition and interesting behavior.
Common diseases and health maintenance
Despite their short life span, grasshoppers have a fairly strong immune system. They rarely get sick, which is good news for their owners.
Most often, owners of such insects encounter injuries. Grasshoppers can bite off their own legs and other body parts, as well as those of their relatives, due to lack of food or in the process of dividing territory.
Giant grasshopper
To maintain vitality, it is recommended to create a proper diet for the insect, which will include both small insects and plant food.
Interesting facts
The giant grasshopper is quite slow, which in nature helps it to camouflage itself among the foliage. It leads an exclusively nocturnal lifestyle. It is peaceful and rarely shows aggression. It can sit on its owner's hand if you gently bring it close to the insect.
In this case, the giant will simply move onto your hand from its branch, and you will be able to examine it in more detail. However, be careful. The giant grasshopper has quite powerful jaws and sharp teeth, which it can use in stressful situations. Of course, it won't bite your finger off, but the fact is that its attack will be extremely unpleasant.
Unlike other species, the giant grasshopper does not make the sounds we are used to. They are more like rustling and are intended to scare off enemies. They do not use chirping to attract females and during courtship.
Siliquofera grandis
Today, the cost of a single grasshopper varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles. The price depends on the breeder, the age of the insect, and its characteristics. Prices may also vary depending on the region.
Keeping a giant grasshopper at home is definitely an exotic and interesting experience. It is suitable for those who want to observe an unusual insect but are not ready for the complexities of caring for more traditional pets. The main thing here is attention to detail.
The main efforts are focused on creating the right terrarium, maintaining warmth, and, most importantly, providing fresh food plants. If you can regularly offer your pet a variety of foliage, it will feel great and may even delight you with its chirping.
As a result, the giant grasshopper is more of a pet for observation than for playing. Its charm lies in the calm contemplation of its size, coloration, and unhurried movements. With proper care, this amazing inhabitant of the grass will become a living piece of wildlife in your home.
