FACT FILE   CLOSE THIS PAGE   PRINT THIS PAGE    
 
  Common Name(s): Jungle Nymph   HERMIT CRAB    
 
Latin Name: Heteropteryx dilatata
 
Description: Fully grown, jungle nymphs range between 9 – 15cm. They have a similar structure to stick insects although their bodies are covered in small spikes which they use as a defence mechanism. Males are capable of flying although the females are just too heavy!
 
Range: Native to West Malaysia
 
Habitat: Arboreal (tree dwelling) when young, terrestrial (ground dwelling) when adult.
 
Diet: Jungle nymphs will eat a variety of leaves often from fruit bushes.
 
Care in Captivity: A tall narrow home is better than a short wider enclosure for these animals. A substrate for egg laying, temperature ranges from 22 – 30 o C and a humid environment ensures that these insects thrive. They need enough room to moult suspended from a branch as most stick insects do.
 
Fact: When threatened, jungle nymphs stand on their front two pairs of legs, opening the rear set of legs, In the event of further provocation they will close both legs fast in a scissor motion, impaling any prey with their spikes. Very painful for the uneducated!