Steve Reekie
Defensive Male Tree Weta
Although this juvenile male Wellington Tree Weta (Hemideina crassidens) looks fearsome, in reality they are relatively docile herbivores that will tolerate a fair degree of rough handling before striking up such defensive poses as these. A smaller male is more likely to display its spiky legs, and maybe try to inflict a scratch, whereas the larger male has impressive mandibles to intimidate with.
Defensive Male Tree Weta
Although this juvenile male Wellington Tree Weta (Hemideina crassidens) looks fearsome, in reality they are relatively docile herbivores that will tolerate a fair degree of rough handling before striking up such defensive poses as these. A smaller male is more likely to display its spiky legs, and maybe try to inflict a scratch, whereas the larger male has impressive mandibles to intimidate with.