Spiney leaf stick insect

[Jenny86]

Hi has anyone ever had a spiney leaf stick insect hatch without its two front legs poor little guy has two stubs insead of legs im not sure if it is a birth defect or if they will grow back I have over 40 baby stick insect hatch with in the last two months and this is a first for me. I have had stick insect for the last two years.

 

[Sdaji]

Sometimes they lose legs while moulting or hatching or along the way during their adventures. Adults won't regrow them but if they still have instars to go (if they will be moulting again) they will grow them, and the smaller they are the more the new legs will catch up in size. Generally in two moults the new legs will be functional and after another two or so they'll be close to normal size.

If you are culturing phasmids you will have many thousands of babies, most of which will not survive to adulthood. Don't get too attached to any particular individual.

 

[Jenny86]

Thank you for you're reply, so far we have only lost 4 hatchings.