Saharan Sand Grasshopper vs Canterbury Tree Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Saharan Sand Grasshopper Canterbury Tree Weta
Scientific Name Sphingonotus octofasciatus Hemideina femorata
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Acrididae Anostostomatidae
Size 22-32 mm Body 35-40 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Fruit Feeders
Regions Africa New Zealand
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Saharan Sand Grasshopper

A pale sandy grasshopper well adapted to life on Saharan sand dunes. It has elongated hind legs for powerful jumps across loose sand.

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Did You Know?

Its color matches the local sand so precisely that different populations on different colored dunes look visibly different.

Canterbury Tree Weta

A medium-sized tree weta found in the eastern South Island of New Zealand. It has dark brown banding on the abdomen and is active on cool nights.

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Did You Know?

It can remain active at temperatures close to freezing, unlike most other large insects.