Nov 6, 2005 3:46 pm US/Central
CBS 2 At Brookfield Zoo: Walking Stick
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Ever heard of a walking stick? It's not what it sounds like, but it is on the go. CBS 2's Susan Carlson gets close to this interesting creature during this week's visit to the Brookfield Zoo.
This morning we have with us -- not the cutest animal we've featured. It is a giant prickly walking stick. So, Andre, what's the deal with this guy?
"Well, believe it or not, the walking sticks and giant prickly sticks you see here will try to pretend that they are something they are not," Andre said.
So unlike camouflage, where they try to blend in with their environment, these guys take it a step further?
"That's right, it's called crypsis. As you can see, this lady is trying to pretend that she is a dead leaf. That's why she is swaying back and forth to mimic the motion of a dead leaf blowing in the breeze," said Andre.
She still looks like a creepy-crawler.
When they are younger they mimic something else.
"Well, when they are young they will mimic a scorpion. Their abdomen will curl over and they will mimic the movements of a scorpion to keep from being preyed upon. But when they reach adulthood, they do a better job of pretending that they are a dead leaf, as you can see," Andre said.
I am keeping my distance because she walks pretty fast. Andre, you told me that because she is a female she isn't going to take off and fly away like a male might.
"That's right. Females have very short wings that cannot support their body weight in the air, whereas male walking sticks can fly."
So, she's been a scorpion, now she's trying to be a leaf, is she going to be anything else before the end of her lifespan?
"Nope. She may turn a bit darker – maybe an even shade of brown -- and sometimes it depends on what they are sitting on."
So, she'll turn into an older, brown leaf, maybe. So, where can you find these?
"Well, you'd find these in their natural habitat in Australia. But if you want to see some in the Chicagoland area, come on out to Brookfield Zoo and come to our Fragile Kingdom: The Forest."
And they are safely contained behind glass there, too.
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