Sand Treader Camel Cricket vs Cape Mountain Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Treader Camel Cricket Cape Mountain Katydid
Scientific Name Macrobaenetes valgum Pseudosaga incerta
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Tettigoniidae
Size 15-25 mm 40-60mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Mountains
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Southwestern United States Africa
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Sand Treader Camel Cricket

A pale, wingless cricket adapted to life on desert sand dunes in the American Southwest. It has broadened feet for walking on loose sand.

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Did You Know?

It burrows into the sand at dawn and emerges only at night, spending its life on dunes with surface temperatures that can exceed 70 degrees Celsius by day.

Cape Mountain Katydid

A large predatory katydid with bold orange and blue-green warning colors. Found only on high mountain peaks in the Cape region. It is wingless and relies on chemical defenses.

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Did You Know?

When threatened it curls up to display its bright warning colors and can secrete a noxious chemical from its body.