# Square-legged Camel Cricket (*Tropidischia xanthostoma*) The Square-legged Camel Cricket is a unique insect with long legs and a funny hopping style. They are usually found in dark places and love to jump around, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Caves and dark places - **Also known as:** Camel Cricket ![Square-legged Camel Cricket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Camel_Cricket_Tropidischia_xanthostoma_%287641778736%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Will Brown, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camel_Cricket_Tropidischia_xanthostoma_%287641778736%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Square-legged Camel Cricket is a medium-sized, wingless insect with a distinctively hunched back and very long antennae. It typically has a mottled light brown or tan body, blending into its environment, and features robust, often angular hind legs adapted for powerful jumps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Rhaphidophoridae - **Genus:** Tropidischia ## Interesting facts - If startled, they launch themselves with a mighty jump in any direction! - These crickets are completely silent; they don't chirp like other crickets! - They are excellent cleaners, feasting on dead leaves and other organic matter. - They navigate dark caves and basements by "feeling" with super-long antennae. ## Special abilities - **Leaping Launch:** Square-legged Camel Cricket can jump incredible distances using its powerful hind legs, helping it escape predators quickly. - **Shadow Stealth:** Square-legged Camel Cricket has a mottled brown body that helps it blend perfectly into dark, damp environments. - **Whisker Radar:** Square-legged Camel Cricket has extremely long, sensitive antennae that help it navigate and find food in darkness. - **Humped Hideaway:** Square-legged Camel Cricket has a high, arched back which helps it fit into narrow crevices for shelter. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 90-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These crickets are nature's cleanup crew, munching on dead plants, fungi, and sometimes other small insects. - **Primary Foods:** decaying leaves, mushrooms, algae, small dead insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [House Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-spider) (*Tegenaria domestica*) — Common spiders in basements often prey on these crickets. - **Eaten by:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Rats in urban environments can catch and eat camel crickets. - **Eaten by:** [Western Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-toad) (*Bufo boreas*) — Toads in damp areas will readily consume camel crickets. ## 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. - [Cave Dwelling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cave-dwelling): Cave dwelling describes organisms specifically adapted to live in underground cave systems, often exhibiting specialized traits due to lack of light. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Camel crickets are not harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Square-legged Camel Cricket? 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 Square-legged Camel Cricket? 20-30 mm ### How long does Square-legged Camel Cricket live? 90-365 days ### What does Square-legged Camel Cricket eat? These crickets are nature's cleanup crew, munching on dead plants, fungi, and sometimes other small insects. ### Where is Square-legged Camel Cricket usually found? Caves and dark places ### How does Square-legged Camel Cricket hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Square-legged Camel Cricket have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Saltery Bay Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saltery-bay-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Bogachiel State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bogachiel-state-park) — Washington, 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: [Square-legged Camel Cricket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/square-legged-camel-cricket)