[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: As evening falls, hidden creatures awaken.

Can you see them?

There's one... and another.

And here's one too-- all heading out for a late-night bite to eat.

But they are not the only ones with an appetite.

This walking stick looks delicate-- feeble, even-- but survival is about much more than strength.

After all, this species has traveled far from its original home in India.

Their first line of defense is their incredible camouflage-- bumpy and wrinkled, with spots and spindly legs.

Walking sticks are part of an order called Phasmatodea, from the Greek word for phantom.

When resting, they stay absolutely still.

When they get up and go, they sway like twigs in a gentle breeze.

They tiptoe along on tiny hooked feet, perfectly adapted to a life in the leaves.

But sometimes even the best disguise can't save you, especially if you're a young nymph.

Older, wiser walking sticks can make a sudden escape by popping off their branch.

Nothing to see here, predators.

If they do manage to escape, walking sticks don't always make a clean getaway.

And, well, they leave a limb behind.

Younger ones can grow their legs back, although they may end up shorter than before.

That's what happened with this new leg.

For walking sticks, nighttime can be the right time to find a mate.

But the females of this species don't need a male to reproduce.

A female can lay viable eggs without mating at all-- cloning herself through parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction.

These babies are tiny clones-- all-female, like mom.

At this stage they're all the same pale brown color, but when they mature, they might change to any of the colors in this forest palette of greens and browns.

You'd think they'd just be the same color as their mom, being clones and all.

How the clones end up different colors is still a mystery.

However it happens, this variability works to their advantage, so they find just the right background for their disappearing act.

Hi, it's Laura.

Don't "leaf" yet or you'll miss our video about these amazing walking stick cousins-- giant Malaysian leaf insects.

They really know how to shake it.

Also, here's another little critter who's great at hiding...on you!

Head lice use their huge claws to turn your hair into their personal jungle gym.

You're welcome.