Meet the animal
This profile is for Medauroidea extradentata, also called the Annam stick insect. Vietnamese stick insect can also mean Ramulus artemis. It is distinct from Carausius morosus. Keep the scientific identification with the culture.
Before you choose one
Arrange accepted foliage through winter and ask what the stock currently eats. Females can produce viable eggs without mating. Individual adult life may be short, but the culture can continue; plan surplus space and contained management before purchase.
Set up its home
The proposed small-group layout is 30 × 30 × 45 cm with fine ventilation and reliable hanging grip. Provide at least three body lengths of clear hanging space under stick-insect guidance, measured after furnishing. Cover every foliage-water opening to prevent drowning and avoid crowded routes.
Measure the clear hanging space below the actual grip after furnishing. Nominal enclosure height does not establish the usable moulting drop.
Temperature and safe heating
The keeper guide describes around 20–30°C with cooler nights tolerated. A stable proposed daytime band around 20–25°C needs review for the culture. Measure actual extremes and avoid direct sun or heating the whole enclosure without cooler choices.
Daylight, shade and UV
Use a normal daylight rhythm and dark nights. Mandatory UVB or numeric UVI is not established in the retrieved guidance. Keep bright display lamps from drying the leaves or overheating hanging insects.
Water, moisture and airflow
Offer fine droplets on suitable foliage with airflow and drying. Fresh accepted food remains essential; a permanently wet enclosure cannot make wilted leaves useful. Protect stem-water vessels and review hydration and containment for small nymphs.
Food and nutrition
The keeper guide reports bramble, raspberry, rose, hazel and oak. Verify the culture’s accepted plants and identify uncontaminated foliage correctly. Introduce changes cautiously and replace stale leaves. Do not assume a similar-looking ornamental plant is safe.
Behaviour and handling
Allow climbing and moulting without interference. For necessary transfers, move the occupied stem or encourage walking onto support. Never pull an attached leg free. Leave freshly moulted animals until the body hardens.
Health and life stages
Poor food acceptance, weak grip, injury or repeated failed moults need experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Check foliage quality, crowding and actual hanging space. Do not pull away old skin or use household insect sprays.
Buying and keeping records
Choose a documented M. extradentata culture with food records. Check current import requirements. Keep eggs, offspring and waste contained and obtain species-specific management advice; do not put potentially egg-bearing waste into outdoor compost.
Your care routine
Prepare winter browse, covered stem water and an egg plan before arrival. Check food and grip regularly and inspect discarded stems for nymphs. Remove frass gently and leave accepted-plant and stage records for holiday cover.
YOUR CHECKLIST
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Vietnamese stick insect — Medauroidea extradentata
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/vietnamese-stick-insect/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Medauroidea extradentata — current taxonomic record (Phasmida Species File)
- Vietnamese / Annam stick insect husbandry (Keeping Insects)
- Stick insect care (Amateur Entomologists' Society)
- PSG Newsletter 125: Medauroidea extradentata UK culture history (Phasmid Study Group)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Vietnamese stick insect, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Pro Paludarium 30 × 30 × 60 cm
PT4402; nominal external 30 × 30 × 60 cm; front-opening glass, adjustable ventilation, lockable stainless-steel mesh top.
Secure doors, cables and vents; check the smallest life stage and actual usable space. External dimensions are not usable internal space. Check actual individual size, access, secure gaps, load support, furnishing clearance and any substrate depth before choosing this example. Measure at least three adult body lengths of unobstructed hanging space below the actual grip, after substrate and food stems; fit secure stage-appropriate roof grip.
Measure the finished usable floor and height after substrate and furnishings against this guide. Check doors, vents and cable gaps for the actual animal and life stage. Secure the lid, test airflow and temperature, and keep lamps inaccessible. For terrestrial layouts retain the land floor; close and secure any drain rather than adding a water pool. Provide secure stage-appropriate overhead grip and measure the unobstructed drop beneath it: at least four actual body lengths for mantises or three adult body lengths for stick/leaf insects. Include soil depth, food stems and protected water vessels in that measurement; choose a larger enclosure if it fails. Very small nymphs may need a separate fine-gap nursery and accessible prey.
Also plan for: Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: The keeper guide reports bramble, raspberry, rose, hazel and oak.
Equipment notes: Set up its home
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Pro Paludarium 30 × 30 × 60 cm
PT4402; nominal external 30 × 30 × 60 cm; front-opening glass, adjustable ventilation, lockable stainless-steel mesh top.
Secure doors, cables and vents; check the smallest life stage and actual usable space. External dimensions are not usable internal space. Check actual individual size, access, secure gaps, load support, furnishing clearance and any substrate depth before choosing this example. Measure at least three adult body lengths of unobstructed hanging space below the actual grip, after substrate and food stems; fit secure stage-appropriate roof grip.
Measure the finished usable floor and height after substrate and furnishings against this guide. Check doors, vents and cable gaps for the actual animal and life stage. Secure the lid, test airflow and temperature, and keep lamps inaccessible. For terrestrial layouts retain the land floor; close and secure any drain rather than adding a water pool. Provide secure stage-appropriate overhead grip and measure the unobstructed drop beneath it: at least four actual body lengths for mantises or three adult body lengths for stick/leaf insects. Include soil depth, food stems and protected water vessels in that measurement; choose a larger enclosure if it fails. Very small nymphs may need a separate fine-gap nursery and accessible prey.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.