We have been offered some new class pets. Mrs Chick, who teaches next-door, has offered to give us some spiny stick insects.

We have got a shelter that they can live in ( a critter keeper ) and Ben’s Dad is going to make a mesh cage that they can live in. We think it’ll be better than the plastic case they’re in now as they’ll get even more air to breathe.

We’ve found out that they need to eat Eucalyptus leaves to eat. They also need to be kept in a environment (classroom!) that has a temperature of around 18deg C.

Mrs Chick bought lots of insects in today because she’s giving some to the children in her class, as well as having some as class pets too.

We had lots of spiny leaf insects to hold and look at – we could feel the little suckers at the ends of their legs that help them hold onto plants that they live with. Today they held onto our hands, arms and jumpers!!! It was really exciting to hold onto the insects and have a really close look at them.

Here’s what their heads look like up close.

These leaf insects appear to have the head back to front. The mouth parts are between the arms and the base of the antennae.

Here are photos of us handling the insects.