Prague Zoo Unveils Rare Australian Stick Insect: The Tree Lobster

The Prague Zoo has become the first institution in Europe to showcase one of the world's rarest insects, the Australian tree lobster, also known as the stick insect. This remarkable creature, scientifically named Dryococelus australis, was believed to be extinct for nearly 80 years, with its only known habitat being the isolated Lord Howe Island group located in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Adult specimens of the tree lobster can reach lengths of up to 15 centimeters. The new exhibit at the zoo opened its doors to the public on Saturday, allowing visitors to witness this extraordinary insect up close.

The tree lobster's near extinction can be attributed to the introduction of rats to Lord Howe Island in 1918, which decimated the insect population. However, a remarkable discovery was made in the early 2000s when researchers found a small number of surviving individuals on Ball's Pyramid, a steep rocky outcrop over 500 meters above sea level.

Miroslav Bobek, the director of the Prague Zoo, expressed his excitement about the new arrival. His journey to obtain the tree lobsters spanned over 16,000 kilometers, requiring him to secure the consent of the island's residents. After convincing them of the importance of this endeavor, he successfully transported approximately 400 eggs from the Melbourne Zoo, which served as the basis for a breeding program in Prague.

Bobek noted that eggs are easier and safer to transport than adult insects. However, establishing the right diet for the tree lobsters in Europe proved challenging. The insects initially struggled to adapt to available food sources, but they eventually developed a preference for the leaves of the fig tree.

Tree lobsters undergo a fascinating transformation during their lives; they start out a vibrant green and are active during the day, but as they mature, they become black-brown and shift to a nocturnal lifestyle. For those keen to observe these rare insects in detail, the zoo offers guided tours daily at 2:30 PM for an additional fee.