Atlas Beetle (Chalcosoma atlas)

Atlas Beetle Chalcosoma atlas
Name	Atlas Beetle
Name Lat.	Chalcosoma atlas
Family	Scarab Beetles
Family lat.	Scarabaeidae
Order	Beetles
Order lat.	Coleoptera
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Deciduous forest
Diet	Bananas, fruits, beetle jelly
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Housing	Semi humid terrarium
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	2-4 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	65-130 mm
Temperature Day	22-25 °C
Temperature Night	18-22 °C
Housing Size	50 x 30 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	2.5"-5.1"
Temperature Day	72-77 °F
Temperature Night	64-72 °F
Housing Size	20" x 10" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution range of the nocturnal Atlas beetles, they are among the largest beetles in Asia, extends over large parts of South and Southeast Asia, where they are mainly native to Indonesia

There they inhabit deciduous forests with a lot of dead wood.

Maintenance

A terrarium of e.g. 50 x 30 x 40 cm (L x W x H) is recommended. A hinged lid terrarium or an aquarium with a tightly closing lid made of the finest gauze is best suited. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without direct sunlight.

The substrate, at least 15-20 cm deep, should consist of a slightly moist deciduous forest or terrarium humus mixed with a little white rotted wood, with the bottom layer (about 5 cm) well compacted. On top of this Flake Soil and/or some foliage for cover (shelter and hiding places), some branches for climbing and erection, and pieces of bark or moss cushions to maintain humidity.

At least once a week the terrarium should be finely sprayed inside (humidity), waterlogging and mold is to be avoided at all costs.

Temp. day: 22-25 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Humidity: 60-80

The lighting duration should be 8-10 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes supplemented with spotlights that generate the necessary heat are ideal.

Diet

The food for adult beetles (imagines) consists of fruit, especially suitable are overripe bananas and mangos, maple syrup and Beetle Jelly. With fruit and maple syrup they cover their liquid needs. Citrus fruits are not suitable.

Larvae feed on deciduous forest humus and white rotted wood, shredded as finely as possible for better absorption, or Flake Soil (fermented wood substrate). Moderate supplemental feeding of  stream fleas or silkworms will promote growth

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males grow significantly larger than females and have three prominent head appendages.

After mating, the female buries herself in the soil substrate and lays up to 70 eggs there

The generation time is 13-18 months depending on the temperature, but the male larvae develop much slower.

The life expectancy of the imagines can be 2-4 months.

Important

Chalcosoma atlas are very similar to Chalcosoma caucasus, but have a broader head horn. Males are incompatible with each other. Therefore, they should only be kept in pairs or in a harem, one male with several females. When disturbed, they make stridulation sounds with their abdomen and mating wings.

It is important to have a certain amount of moisture in the food, because the animals only take in the required liquid through their food.

A sufficiently deep substrate is essential, as the substrate is both food and habitat for the larvae. A regular substrate exchange is necessary, whereby the intervals can be several months depending on the stocking.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and must meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: HENKEL & SCHMIDT (2010): Taschenatlas Wirbellose für das Terrarium, Verlag Ulmer; ENGELMAN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch