Published on: 2026-04-09
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
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In the Moscow Zoo, subordinate to the capitalDepartment of Culture, for the first time, mint stick insects, also known as Bates’ megacraniids, appeared. These insects inhabit the tropical forests of the northeastern coast of Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. They got their name because of an unusual defense mechanism: when in danger, the stick insects release a special mint-scented spray that repels predators.
“This is a great achievement of our zoologists. Stick insects are a species that is not easy to breed in captivity, and for four years entomology department specialists have been step by step approaching this result. Today, for the first time in the history of the Moscow Zoo, we present them in the exhibition. For us, this is not only a reason for pride but also an important educational moment: visitors will be able to see amazing insects that are little known to most people, and learn about their capabilities — for example, protection using mint spray or reproduction without the participation of males.””We are glad that we can share such discoveries with our guests,” noted Svetlana Akulova, the general director of the Moscow Zoo.
Stick insects can be seen in the “Birds and Butterflies” pavilion in the new zoo territory. In the terrarium for them, all necessary conditions have been created: a stable temperature of about plus 26 degrees Celsius and humidity of approximately 70 percent are maintained here. Additionally, there is a pandanus — a forage plant that serves as a food source and a natural refuge for this species of insects.
The body length of male walking sticks reaches 76–87 millimeters, for females — 98–137 millimeters. The insects have a bright green coloration, and their lifespan is about one and a half years. The species is named in honor of the British naturalist Henry Walter Bates (1825–1892).
The Moscow Zoo continues to expand its collection of rare and unusual species, making them accessible to visitors and fulfilling an important educational mission. It is also possible to observe all the inhabitants of the zoo online on the official website.zoo.mos.ru.
The program of events at the Moscow Zoo contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project in Moscow“Family”. More details about the national projects of Russia and the contribution of the capital can be found atspecial page.
With the service“Mosbilet”It is convenient and pleasant to plan any types of leisure — from a walk to the theater and concert to sports activities and picnics. Tickets are sold without markup and intermediary commissions. In addition, there are many free events on “Mosbilet.” Through the service, you can also purchase tickets for theater premieres of the new season and performances with famous artists. If there is a complete or standard account registered on mos.ru, then when purchasing it is not necessary to enter personal data. Tickets for children are purchased on a simplified basis.Users of “Mosbileta” may not need to take a document with them to attend a cultural event — it is enough to show the controller the QR code of the digital ticket.
Today, the Moscow Zoo is a dynamically developing space where scientific work is conducted, international conferences are held, educational programs are implemented, and a unique atmosphere is created daily for residents and visitors of the capital to get acquainted with the amazing world of wildlife.
At the beginning of 2025, the Moscow Zoo set a world record for the number of animal species represented: there were 1,253 species housed there. By 2026, the number exceeded 1,280. This outstanding result became possible thanks to the many years of work of the team of zoologists, veterinarians, keepers, and other staff.
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