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antipodi
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Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:37 am
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 Keeping Exotic Pet Beetles
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Keeping Exotic Pet Beetles
Introduction
Beetles (Coleoptera) have been around for millions of years and provide a janitorial service to us all. They are experts at clearing up waste in one form or another and are found in virtually all countries of the world.
They belong to the group coleoptera which contains over 400,000 different species of beetle currently named to date and is sub divided in to a further five main sub categories: polyphaga (the main one), Adephaga (mostly predatory), Myxophaga (tiny beetles) and Archostemata.
The most popular beetles fall in to the first category, this is because around 85% of all beetles belong to this group and include the giant beetles and the colourful ones, these are the ones often kept in captivity. Mostly the giants come from Africa and Asia as this natural environment allows then to grow in to huge beetles.
The Rhino Beetle, named as a result of the horn on the front
Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle
Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle is the longest of the US rhinoceros beetles with the record specimen at 85mm (3.25 inches)! It is a very impressive beetle with a heavy build. Females resemble monstrous spotted June beetles while the males look much more exotic and possess a horn on both the pronotum and head. The horns of the male are used in fighting over females and food. Smaller males can have very tiny horns although properly feeding larvae will produce all major males, like the captive-bred males pictured to the left. In the wild, Grants' Rhinoceros Beetles can be found out at night feeding on tree sap. In captivity, maintaining these beetles is much easier. Unlike many other invertebrates, Grants' Rhinoceros Beetles don't seem to get stressed out by being handled and gently played with by people. They also do not pose a threat to humans when bites and stings are concerned, therefore, these giant beetles make excellent pets! The Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle only lives for one or two years, but it's still an invertebrate worth keeping. They have been becoming more popular lately, and it is easy to see why. The Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle is a perfect combination of simple care, good temperament, and large size.
Range United States, Arizona and bordering states.
Type Terrestrial.
Diet Larvae feed on decomposing rotten wood and leaves. Adults will eat real maple syrup and the soft parts of numerous fruits in captivity.
Full Grown Size 1.2 to 3.25 inches.
Growth Fast speed.
Temperature 60 to 75° F.
Humidity 70 to 75%.
Temperament Night active adults seem calm during the day but are quite energetic in the late evening. Males need little incentive to fight but seldom cause more than superficial damage to one another. Adults are strong flyers but poor at landing.
Housing Larvae should be kept in glass containers with air holes. Adults should be kept in well sealed glass or plastic containers with air holes. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate 4 to 6 inches of the soil mentioned in the "Diet" section.
Decor Logs, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good climbing accessories.
Other Names Giant North American Rhinoceros Beetle, White Beetle, and Western Hercules Beetle.
Frog Beetle - Sagra buqueti This is one of the jewel beetles - Sagra buqueti from South East Asia, it is commonly known as the Frog Beetle due to the large back legs.
Another very popular beetle is the Sun Beetle - Pachnoda marginata peregrina. It is an excellent starter beetle as it is easily bred and the life cycle of around 4 - 6 months means that the owner can see results of the labour fairly quickly. This beetle feeds on fruit.
Anthina thorocica The Giant African Ground Beetle - Anthina thorocica is a 2 inch long carnivorous beetle with huge insect crushing jaws. In captivity it can be fed on most commercially available live foods which it takes with relish!
Housing Beetles
Beetles are easily kept in small tanks filled with leaf litter, compost or similar unfertilized substrate. They will often consume the substrate so it should be free from pesticides and plant food.
The tank need not be more than 12 x 10 x 12 which could accommodate up to 12 small to medium size beetles depending on the species. Larger colonies can be housed in larger tanks in which case many different species can be kept together so long as they are not carnivorous in nature!
The substrate most often used is a mixture of oak leaves, rotted wood and peat or loam, this is usually made up by the keeper and provides a great many of the fruit beetles and other commonly kept beetles the perfect place to breed.
_________________
Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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