A walking stick is a long, sturdy pole that people use for support and balance while walking. Walking sticks help hikers navigate rocky trails, assist elderly people who need extra stability, and give anyone crossing uneven ground something to lean on. Some walking sticks are plain wooden staffs, while others have carved handles, rubber tips, or adjustable heights.

The term also refers to an insect that looks remarkably like a twig or small branch. These insects have evolved an incredible disguise: long, thin brown or green bodies with legs that fold against them to complete the illusion. When a walking stick insect stays perfectly still on a tree, even sharp-eyed birds can mistake it for part of the branch. Some species can grow over a foot long, making them among the world's longest insects. If you ever find what looks like a stick crawling slowly along, you might have discovered one of these masters of camouflage.