This amazing animal is a Perectatosoma hystrix, a type of nocturnal stick insect native to Madagascar. While most stick insects avoid predators by body camouflage and blending in with their surroundings, this one has specialised in a whole range of striking defences against predators.
Besides their nocturnal behaviour, it has an armoured body covered with sharp red and white spines, and the ability to secrete toxic liquid from glands that are just behind the head! But that’s not all, adults have tiny bright-red wings on their back that they open up and shake heavily when threatened to startle any potential encroaching predators. On top of all that they have bright green eyes. Surprisingly, despite their striking appearance and stunning defences, not much is known about them and they still lack a common name.
All pictures in this post are by (c) Bruno Kneubuehle