Counting Phasmids

You slide open the tall phasmid enclosure and gently move the branches aside, scanning for legs, antennae, and leafy silhouettes.

First you count the golden-eyed stick insects one by one. After a careful headcount, all 13 are present and clinging calmly to the branches.

Golden eyed stick insect resting on a branch.
A golden-eyed stick insect trying to blend in with the branches.

Next are the Annam stick insects. You double-check every twig and vine until you find all 10, lined up in their usual spots.

Long, twiglike Annam stick insect clinging to a branch.
An Annam stick insect camouflaged among the twigs.

The leaf insects are trickier. After searching really hard through layer after layer of foliage, you finally spot all 5, perfectly camouflaged and pretending to be leaves.

Leaf insect disguised as a leaf on foliage.
A leaf insect with perfect leaf mimicry.
Leaf insect hanging beneath a leaf.
Another leaf insect hiding beneath a leaf, nearly invisible.

You add in fresh leaves for everyone and check the orchid mantis in its enclosure. It’s perched in its usual spot, colors bright, posture relaxed. Everything looks stable and healthy.

The quiet patience of the phasmids makes the room feel calm and slow, like the air has softened around you.

← Return to the prep room choices

All photos in this project were taken by me at the American Museum of Natural History.