African Giant Stick Insect vs Malayan Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Giant Stick Insect Malayan Stick Insect
Scientific Name Palophus centaurus Phobaeticus serratipes
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Phasmatidae Phasmatidae
Size 150-230 mm (females) Body 270-330 mm, total with legs up to 550 mm
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

African Giant Stick Insect

One of the largest stick insects in East Africa, with females reaching over 20 cm in length. It has thorny legs and body protrusions that enhance its twig-like camouflage.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, it can drop from branches and play dead for extended periods, or thrash its spiny hind legs as a defensive display.

Malayan Stick Insect

An extremely long stick insect with serrated legs that was once the longest known insect. Females can reach over 300 mm in body length alone.

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Did You Know?

Before the discovery of P. chani, this species held the world record as the longest insect.