The monster under the table

The infamous "Parktown prawn" is a large cricket-like insect, Libanasidus vittatus.

Despite its fearsome appearance, it is harmless. Its defensive behaviours escalate from hissing to defecating and finally jumping towards the threat.

Its most common colloquial name refers to a suburb in Johannesburg, South Africa. The natural savannah grassland biome is unsuitable for this species, but extensive tree planting in the 1960s and 70s led to parts of Johannesburg becoming ideal for woodland creatures. The "prawn" soon became the subject of urban legends and even newspaper headlines.

They are typically only around 5 cm in length, but they seem much larger when encountered in a dark kitchen or bathroom at night.