Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen”

Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen” – camouflage in perfection

Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen” is a special color and pattern form of the well-known Australian ghost insect. The animals originally come from Australia, where they live in shrub and forest regions with dense plant growth.

The “Lichen” form is particularly impressive due to its unusual camouflage. The animals look like branches covered in lichen or moss, allowing them to blend in perfectly with their surroundings.

This makes this form one of the most fascinating variants of Extatosoma tiaratum.

Appearance and camouflage

The animals have the typical strong body shape of Extatosoma tiaratumwhile at the same time the surface appears particularly structured.

Depending on the animal:

• grayish areas
• light lichen patterns
• moss-like drawings
• brown and green shades

This makes adult females in particular look like a piece of tree bark or a branch covered in lichen.

It is precisely this camouflage that makes the “Lichen” form so popular.

Behavior and activity

Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen” is mainly nocturnal, while the animals usually sit motionless on branches during the day.

As soon as it gets dark, they begin to feed actively and move slowly through the terrarium. Despite their size, the animals exhibit calm behavior, making them easy to observe.

Females in particular impress with their massive body shape.

Terrarium size and set-up

Suitable for keeping is a high and well ventilated terrariumas the animals need plenty of space to moult.

For smaller groups, the Insektenliebe Phasmid Complete Setas it is already optimally adapted to keeping phasmids.

For larger groups or adult animals we recommend a Repto Terra Sky Terrariumas it offers sufficient height and at the same time very good air circulation.

The furnishings should be as natural as possible. Particularly suitable are

• dry hardwood branches
• Climbing branches
• Spiderwood
• leafy blackberry branches

Suitable substrates are either kitchen rollas it is hygienic and practical, or forest humus for a more natural setup.

Kitchen roll has the advantage that eggs are particularly easy to recognize and collect.

Setup for stable “Lichen” staining

So that the typical “Lichen” look is preserved as much as possible, the furnishings should also be natural and light in color. Dry branches with lichen, light-colored pieces of bark and mossy or grey-textured surfaces have proven particularly effective.

The animals visually adapt to their surroundings, which is why a suitable setup additionally supports the formation and effect of the lichen pattern. Dark and very sterile setups, on the other hand, often result in the animals appearing less rich in contrast.

They are therefore particularly suitable:

• light-colored hardwood branches
• Branches with natural lichens
• dry mosses and pieces of bark

This not only creates a much more natural terrarium, but also allows the special camouflage of the animals to come into its own.

Climate and care

For successful keeping, you should adhere to the following values:

• Temperature: 20-26 °C
• Humidity: 50-70 %

Light, regular spraying is usually sufficient, although the animals should not be sprayed directly.

With a GLORIA fine sprayer you can distribute the moisture particularly finely and evenly.

Feeding

The animals eat various food plants and are generally considered uncomplicated:

• Blackberry leaves
• Raspberry leaves
• Oak
• Hazel
• Rose

It is best to place the food branches in water so that they stay fresh for as long as possible.

Particularly practical here is the cricket box with X-slot from the complete phasmid setas the branches are stable and cannot tip over at the same time.

Note on the line

With our Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen” is a line without males. The animals therefore reproduce parthenogenetici.e. without mating.

This makes keeping them particularly uncomplicated, while at the same time reliable offspring can be produced.

Offspring

The females actively fling their eggs around the terrarium. These then continue to develop on the ground until the young hatch after several months.

Development is comparatively reliable if the temperature and humidity remain stable.

Important points on posture

• Plenty of upward space required
• Well ventilated terrarium important
• Structurally rich branches ideal for camouflage
• Calm and peaceful animals
• Parthenogenetic line without males

Suitable accessories for your setup

We recommend the following combination for successful keeping:

• Insektenliebe phasmid complete set – ideal basis for smaller groups
• Repto Terra Sky Terrarium – perfect for adult animals
• Repto Flat LED – reliable light source
• Spiderwood / branches – important climbing structure
• GLORIA fine sprayer – for controlled humidity
• Forest humus – natural substrate

This combination ensures a stable climate and at the same time a particularly natural appearance.

Conclusion

Extatosoma tiaratum “Lichen” is one of the most impressive ghost terrors of all. The extraordinary lichen look, the enormous camouflage effect and the calm behavior make these animals a real highlight in the terrarium.

Anyone looking for a large, fascinating and at the same time durable phasmid will be delighted with this special line.