Tracey Swan, age 19, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, for her question:

WHAT KIND OF INSECT IS THE WALKING STICK?

The walking stick is an insect that looks very much like a twig. The strange appearance makes it easy for the creature to hide from his enemies.

There are several different kinds of walking sticks in the United States. The most common type is found in the Eastern states. It has long legs and a slender body that is two to three inches long.

Unlike most insects, the walking stick has no wings. It may be either brown or green. It lives on leaves and sometimes it harms the trees on which it lives.

The female walking stick usually drops her eggs on the ground. Young walking sticks are neglected right from birth and only a few survive to reach adulthood.