# Obscure Bird Grasshopper (*Schistocerca obscura*) The Obscure Bird Grasshopper is a special insect that can jump really high! It has beautiful colors that help it blend in with the grass and plants around it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Obscure Bird Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Obscure_Bird_Grasshopper_%28Schistocerca_obscura%29_Virginia_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Minnehaha850, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obscure_Bird_Grasshopper_%28Schistocerca_obscura%29_Virginia_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Obscure Bird Grasshopper is a large, robust insect, typically displaying dull green or brownish-gray coloration, providing excellent camouflage. It often has subtle dark markings, including a stripe on its pronotum, and long, powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Schistocerca ## Interesting facts - Baby grasshoppers, called nymphs, look just like tiny adults without wings! - Some people call them 'bird grasshoppers' because they are strong flyers! - Their ancestors have roamed the Earth since the time of dinosaurs! - This grasshopper can spit a dark, smelly liquid to startle predators! ## Special abilities - **Leaping Launcher:** Obscure Bird Grasshopper can launch itself immense distances because its powerful hind legs act like springs, helping them escape danger fast. - **Natural Camouflage:** Obscure Bird Grasshopper has earthy colors and patterns that perfectly blend into its environment, helping them hide from hungry predators. - **Winged Wanderer:** Obscure Bird Grasshopper can fly for long distances using its strong wings, allowing them to find new food sources and mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-120 mm - **Size:** 40-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This grasshopper munches on various plants, especially grasses and leafy greens from crops! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Alfalfa, Corn leaves, Shrub foliage - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Western Meadowlark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-meadowlark) (*Sturnella neglecta*) — A common bird predator. - **Eats:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — A primary food source. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — A web-spinning predator. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Can be an agricultural pest. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch where you step, as grasshoppers can be easily scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Obscure Bird Grasshopper? 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. ### What is Obscure Bird Grasshopper's wingspan? 70-120 mm ### How big is Obscure Bird Grasshopper? 40-70 mm ### How long does Obscure Bird Grasshopper live? 60-120 days ### How fast can Obscure Bird Grasshopper fly? 15 km/h ### What does Obscure Bird Grasshopper eat? This grasshopper munches on various plants, especially grasses and leafy greens from crops! ### Where is Obscure Bird Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Obscure Bird Grasshopper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Chilocco Indian Agricultural School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chilocco-indian-agricultural-school) — Oklahoma, US · Campus - [Clayton Public Schools Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clayton-public-schools-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Marked Tree Lock and Siphons](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marked-tree-lock-and-siphons) — Arkansas, US · Historic Site - [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Southeast Gainesville Residential District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southeast-gainesville-residential-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [St. Augustine Town Plan Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-augustine-town-plan-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District [View all places to see Obscure Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/obscure-bird-grasshopper) ## 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: [Obscure Bird Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/obscure-bird-grasshopper)