Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My husband has just rescued a Unicorn beetle from a deadly fate (lawn mower!) and we'd like to keep him. My son has just finished a school unit on insects and subscribed to a Bugs & Insects magazine, which coincidentally released an issue on Rhinoceros Beetles about a month ago.

Can anyone provide info on what's required to look after them? Our resources don't go into detail on having them as pets. Links, pictures, any info will be appreciated.

Also - those horns look pretty solid. Do we risk life and limb trying to pick him up? Is there a right/wrong way?

oh - forgot... we are eastern Australia. Too low for sugar cane fields.

i keep hercules beetles , dynastes tityus. i feed mine apple slices or diluted maple syrup. i keep them at room temperature, they like deep substrate to burrow into. don't know if that helps , but good luck

yes, thank you. Ours seems keen on bananas but not peaches

What do you put the syrup into so it's accessible but doesn't spill?

I was told yesterday we're only likely to have him for 6-8 weeks before he dies. Does that sound about right?

i use a 50/50 ratio of syrup to water mix and put a very shallow amount (say a millimeter in depth) in a shallow dish and let the beetle lap it up. dynastes tityus live about 6 months; up to a year on occasion. the grubs can live a couple years.