Karoophasma biedouwense vs Cederberg Heelwalker

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Karoophasma biedouwense	Cederberg Heelwalker
Scientific Name	Karoophasma biedouwense	Austrophasma cederbergense
Order	Mantophasmatodea	Mantophasmatodea
Family	Austrophasmatidae	Austrophasmatidae
Size	15-20 mm	15-22 mm
Habitat	Heathland	Heathland
Diet	Predators	Predators
Regions	Africa	Southern Africa, South Africa
Conservation	Endangered	Data Deficient

Karoophasma biedouwense

A gladiator insect endemic to the Biedouw Valley in South Africa. It is nocturnal and hunts among low shrubs in semi-arid fynbos.

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Each heelwalker species tends to occupy a tiny geographic range, making them extremely vulnerable to habitat loss.

A predatory heelwalker found in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa. It is greenish-brown and well-camouflaged among fynbos shrubs.

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Females eat the male after mating, similar to praying mantises, despite being in an entirely different order.