Critically Endangered 'Tree Lobsters' Hatched at Zoo One of the
3 critically endangered insects called Lord Howe Island stick
insects, or tree lobsters, hatched at the San Diego Zoo. CREDIT:
Tammy Spratt, San Diego Zoo Three critically endangered insects
called Lord Howe Island stick insects, also known as tree
lobsters, have been hatched at the San Diego Zoo for the first
time. The species was thought to be extinct after 1920, when the
last known wild tree lobsters were devoured by rats on their
native Lord Howe Island, off the coast of Australia. However, in
2001, a small group of the stick insects was discovered on
Ball's Pyramid, a remnant volcano in the Pacific Ocean near the
island. After discovering the rare insect, four were taken to
the Melbourne Zoo, where zookeepers have successfully hatched a
number of the insects in an effort to bring them back from
extinction. Eggs were shipped to San Diego to establish a new,
separate colony, according to the zoo. After incubating the eggs
at 80 degrees Fahrenh