Acid Spraying Walking Sticks

Altoona, Florida, USA.

I found this two-striped walking stick on my daily walk in Central Florida.

Actually there were two: the big being the female and the smaller one a sneaky male getting a free ride while mating.

At the time I didn't know what kind of stick insect it was. Most wandering sticks are easygoing and harmless, so I picked it up.

But the more research I did later on this species, the more I realized that this stick had spared me from its defensive skills.

It's able to spray liquids! And it will! if threatened, launching smelly white secretion from the back of the body into the attacker's face.

If you get sprayed in the eyes it will burn non-stop for days. It can lead to temporary blindness! So wash those eyes and see a doctor.

I love walking sticks!

They are cool looking creatures moving in slow mo. And they grow big too.

They are especially large in late Autumn, when they have eaten plenty of their favorite food: leaves.

Thankfully this walking sticks couple was well calm in my hands and didn't blind even though I gave them the chance to do so.

Bison Martin