# North American Jerusalem Crickets (*Ammopelmatus*) North American Jerusalem Crickets are large, brown insects that love to hide under rocks and in the soil. They are known for their long legs and big eyes, making them look a bit like a mix between a cricket and a grasshopper! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Mole Cricket, Stink Cricket ![North 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 North American Jerusalem Cricket has a stout, robust body, typically reddish-brown to black, with a large, distinctive bulbous head that sometimes resembles a human face. It completely lacks wings and possesses powerful, spiny front legs used for digging. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Stenopelmatidae - **Genus:** Ammopelmatus ## Interesting facts - Despite their name, they're more closely related to cave crickets than true crickets! - These ancient insects have been around for millions of years, almost like tiny living fossils! - They use their extra-long antennae to feel and smell their way in the dark underground! - They're nicknamed "potato bugs" because they sometimes munch on potato roots! ## Special abilities - **Earth Engineer:** North American Jerusalem Crickets can tunnel through soil because of their super strong, spiny front legs that help them dig burrows. - **Ground Drummer:** North American Jerusalem Crickets can communicate with others by rhythmically drumming their abdomen against the ground, creating vibrations. - **Mighty Muncher:** North American Jerusalem Crickets has powerful mandibles that help them chew through tough plant roots and crush hard-bodied insects. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 30-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 730-1825 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores munch on plant roots, decaying matter, and small insects. - **Primary Foods:** plant roots, tubers, decaying plant matter, small insects, arachnids - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Badgers dig them out of their burrows for food. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Owls are nocturnal predators that will hunt them. - **Eats:** [Potato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/potato) (*Solanum tuberosum*) — They sometimes eat potato roots and tubers, hence their nickname. - **Eats:** [Darkling Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/darkling-beetle) (*Eleodes obscura*) — Young Jerusalem crickets sometimes prey on smaller ground insects. ## Traits - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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:** 2/5 · Low If you see one, it's best to watch from a distance. They can bite if they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North 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 North American Jerusalem Crickets? 30-70 mm ### How long does North American Jerusalem Crickets live? 730-1825 days ### What does North American Jerusalem Crickets eat? These omnivores munch on plant roots, decaying matter, and small insects. ### Where is North American Jerusalem Crickets usually found? Desert ### How does North American Jerusalem Crickets hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does North American Jerusalem Crickets have? 6 ## 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: [North American Jerusalem Crickets Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-jerusalem-crickets)