In a remote rainforest in Australia, home to deadly snakes, spiders and creepy-crawlies, scientists have discovered a new species of stick insect they believe is the heaviest ever found in the country.
The new species weighs 44 grams (1.55 oz), about the same as a golf ball, and is 40 cm (15.75 inches) long.
James Cook University’s Angus Emmott, who helped identify the new Acrophylla alta species, said the creature’s large size could be an evolutionary response to its cool, wet habitat.
“Their body mass likely helps them survive the colder conditions, and that’s why they’ve developed into this large insect over millions of years,” he was quoted as saying in a media release.
“From what we know to date, this is Australia’s heaviest insect.”
