Keeping Leaf Insects

Leaf insects are some of the most fascinating pets one can own looking as they do just like actual leaves. People are typically fascinated by them and so they can make an amazing talking point for visitors and friends.But there are other benefits too. Leaf insects are docile and gentle so no child is going to get hurt by one, they are silent and virtually scent-free too and require only a reasonably sized cage so can be an ideal pet when you do not want to upset any of the neighbours.They are reasonably easy to care for a low maintenance too (no walking!) so they can be cared for in only an hour or two a week making them ideal for people who do not have too much time available, as they would have to have if they chose a dog or horse.The downsides of leaf insects are that they require fresh plants to eat so it can be difficult to leave them for long periods of time, such as when away on holiday, and that they are nocturnal so some people complain that they never actually do anything!Leaf insects come from the tropical areas of the world – most notably the Philippines, and so understandably they favour a warm and moist environment.An ideal home is a mesh cage. Personally I use a cage about 3 feet high and 2 feet wide though for just one or two individuals a cage considerably smaller is perfectly acceptable. The most important thing to note about the size is that the insects must have enough space to change their skins so the cage should always be several times the height and width of the insects themselves.While baby leaf insects can be a bit fussy, the adults are reasonably easy to fee on bramble which is of course available all year round. Leaving the leaves loose they will normally whither and die in a few days but if you place the stalks into a container of water (making sure the leaf insects themselves cannot drown in it) the leaves will last almost a week. This means your maintenance can involve a quick change of food once a week or so.Apart from that, keep them warm in winter and spray the plants to rise the humidity from time to time and you will find keeping leaf insects both enjoyable and easy.