Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male grants rhinocerous beetle has been living with two females for the past few months. Today he went on a murderous rampage and killed them both! Why?

I'm no expert on Rhino beetles, but I would guess copulation- exhaustion & death--this is a possibility from what I've read. It can be something else & maybe someone with experience can post a better answer.

Thanks. I think I may have discovered the answer. It all happened after I started feeding them maple syrup instead of fruit. I put just one dish of syrup in the tank and the females would often lay in the middle of it and eat. There might not have been room for the male to get to the syrup with the females there and thats why he killed them. I learned my lesson though and next time I get beetles I'll make sure to have several feeding stations for them so they don't fight.

Interesting! I thought you may have been providing enough food-keeping them as long as you have. I didn't realize that the males were territorial! Thanks for the update. Goodluck

Did you notice any difference in feeding them maple syrup instead of fruit?
Did they look good on just that . I was just curious.

Thanks

D.granti are not very long lived, especially if you were feeding them banana. The male can't do much damage to a female that's not dead. Not many live past the end of September either way.

What would you consider food that could pro long their life best combo of foods?
Thanks