Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)

Hercules Beetle Dynastes hercules
Name	Hercules Beetle
Name Lat.	Dynastes hercules
Family	Scarab Beetles
Family lat.	Scarabaeidae
Order	Beetles
Order lat.	Coleoptera
Origin	Central and South America
Habitat	Tropical forest
Diet	Fruits, beetle jelly, maple syrup
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Moderate
Housing	Semi humid terrarium
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	2-4 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	80-175 mm
Temperature Day	22-25 °C
Temperature Night	18-22 °C
Housing Size	50 x 30 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	3.1"-6.9"
Temperature Day	72-77 °F
Temperature Night	64-72 °F
Housing Size	20" x 10" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the nocturnal Hercules beetles extends from Central America to northern South America. There they inhabit the tropical mountain and rain forests.

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 some foliage for cover (shelter and hiding places) and/or e.g. Flake Soil, some branches for climbing and erection and pieces of bark or moss cushions to maintain humidity.

Several times a week the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed (humidity), waterlogging and mold should 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 ripe fruit, especially suitable are bananas, apples, pears and mangoes, maple syrup, Beetle Jelly and flower pollen. Fruit and maple syrup meet their fluid 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 finished products made from fermented wood substrate (e.g. Flake Soil). Moderate feeding (max. half teaspoon per week) of ground silkworm pupae promotes growth.

Recommended feeding is two to three times a week, too little feeding leads to cannibalism among the larvae. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males are larger than females and easily recognized by their distinctive head horns.

After mating, the female lays the eggs in the soil substrate. The generation period is 24-36 months depending on temperature

Reproduction does not occur at temperatures below 15 °C.

Important

The head horns serve as a weapon for males when fighting for females, and they produce stridulation sounds with their abdomen and coverts

A certain amount of moisture in the food is important, 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. The substrate should have a high protein content. 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 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, Ulmer Verlag; ENGELMAN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch