# American Jerusalem Crickets (*Stenopelmatini*) American Jerusalem Crickets are large, interesting insects that live in the ground. They have long legs and can make loud chirping sounds at night, which makes them fun to listen to! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Jerusalem Cricket ![American Jerusalem Crickets](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ammopelmatus_fuscus_%28Jerusalem_Cricket%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Franco Folini from San Francisco, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ammopelmatus_fuscus_%28Jerusalem_Cricket%29.jpg) ## Appearance The American Jerusalem Cricket has a stout, robust body, ranging from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. It is wingless and boasts a notably large, bald head with powerful, black mandibles. Its spiky, strong legs are designed for digging, making it visually distinct from winged crickets. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Stenopelmatidae ## Interesting facts - Despite their name, they are not true crickets and are not found anywhere near Jerusalem! - Some people call them 'Potato Bugs' because they like to dig up and eat potato roots! - Their powerful jaws can give a surprisingly painful nip if they feel threatened or provoked! - They make a unique hissing sound by rubbing their strong legs together when they feel scared! ## Special abilities - **Ground Breaker:** American Jerusalem Crickets can dig tunnels using their strong, spiky legs because of their powerful muscles, creating shelter and hunting grounds. - **Mighty Mandibles:** American Jerusalem Crickets has incredibly strong jaws that helps them crush tough prey and deter predators with a painful bite. - **Vibration Sense:** American Jerusalem Crickets can detect tiny ground vibrations with specialized sensors, helping them find hidden prey or sense danger. - **Night Hunter:** American Jerusalem Crickets has senses adapted for darkness that helps them navigate and hunt efficiently during the night. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 20-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 90-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These hungry omnivores feast on roots and small insects found underground. - **Primary Foods:** plant roots, small insects, earthworms, decaying organic matter, tubers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — This owl will hunt and eat them at night. - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Skunks dig them up from the soil for a tasty meal. - **Hunts:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — They actively hunt and eat earthworms in the soil. - **Hunts:** Mealworm Beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — Burrowing beetle larvae are common and easy prey. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Don't touch them if you see one! They can bite if they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Jerusalem Crickets? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is American Jerusalem Crickets? 20-70 mm ### How long does American Jerusalem Crickets live? 90-365 days ### What does American Jerusalem Crickets eat? These hungry omnivores feast on roots and small insects found underground. ### Where is American Jerusalem Crickets usually found? Desert ### How does American Jerusalem Crickets hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does American Jerusalem Crickets have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bear Lake State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-lake-state-park) — Utah, US · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [American Jerusalem Crickets: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-jerusalem-crickets)