Fauna
Insect

Chan's Megastick

Phobaeticus chani

Also known as Chan's Stick Insect

Chan's megasticks dwell in the dense rainforest canopies of Borneo, where their twig-like bodies and mottled coloration provide camouflage among mossy branches. Reaching extraordinary lengths, females produce eggs equipped with wing-like flanges that help them drift on air currents as they fall toward the forest floor. Because they spend their lives dozens of meters above ground feeding on canopy leaves, living individuals are almost never encountered by humans.

CamouflagedCanopy DwellerNocturnal
Chan's Megastick reference
(c) P.E. Bragg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCanopy foliage and rainforest leaves
Predators
  • Canopy birds
  • Arboreal lizards
  • Bats
ThreatsHabitat loss from logging and palm oil expansion
HabitatsTropical lowland and montane rainforest canopy
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderPhasmida
  2. FamilyPhasmatidae
  3. GenusPhobaeticus
  4. SpeciesPhobaeticus chani
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless and non-aggressive; safe to observe at any distance.
What to notice
Recognized by its colossal twig-like profile exceeding 30 centimeters in body length alone.
Support conservation
Document sightings with precise GPS coordinates and photos without capturing or disturbing the insect.
Responsible observation
  • Canopy Walks: Seek them along elevated forest walkways or beneath high research platforms at night.
  • Delicate Limbs: Never attempt to hold or pull one, as its ultra-long legs detach easily under stress.
Related species
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