Description
Adult captive born and bred Ox Beetle, Strategus aloeus. This US native beetle is a large rhino beetle found in the Southern United States and Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. These reddish-brown to black beetles sport three horns on males for sparring, and a tiny horn with a ridged, deep scoop on females for burrowing. These adept diggers love to explore and stay on the move. They do not bite or sting, but do have sharp tarsii on their feet for gripping and spined tibia which can be uncomfortable when held . They are capable of flight, but do not fly often in captivity and are generally poor flyers.
Care is straightforward. A small terrarium with a well-secured latching or sliding lid is suitable for a single beetle, provided it has a few of inches of loose substrate for burrowing. Sticks, pieces of cork, or other bark should be placed inside as means for the beetles to climb and to aid in righting themselves if flipped onto their backs. Keeping the substrate moist and humid will prolong your beetles’ lifespan; coconut coir/fiber is ideal for retaining moisture, preventing mold growth, and reducing scuffs and scratches on their exoskeletons. Dry conditions can negatively impact adult lifespan. Males and females should be kept solo to prevent fighting. Adult rhino beetles are sap feeders in nature and, in captivity, will eat soft, sweet, ripe fruits such as banana, mango, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Avoid feeding citrus. They can also be fed diluted pure maple syrup or prepared beetle jelly, either commercially produced or homemade.
For full lifecycle care, check out our Strategus aloeus care guide.
Unless otherwise noted, adult beetles are sold while still dormant. Dormancy times can vary anywhere from 2-8 months until they become active and will feed. Adult lifespan once active can be upwards of 1-2 years. Males are sold based on size, beetles with pronounced horns are considered “major” males, while those under 40mm with reduced horn size are generally considered “minor” males. Beetle size primarily results from the availability and quality of food during larval instars.
Each beetle will be accompanied by a “beetle birth certificate” detailing the important dates in your beetle’s life.
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