Rhinoceros Beetle facts: | Animal Fact Files

These hefty bugs are also known as elephant beetles, Hercules beetles, and unicorn beetles. They're nocturnal as adults and can be found in just about every terrestrial habitat around the world (except for polar regions). There are currently 1,500 classified living rhinoceros beetle species, however this number will likely change with new information. These are some of the largest living insects on earth with some reaching lengths of nearly half a foot (15cm)! Rhinoceros beetles may push their abdomens against the wing covers, called elytra, to make hissing and squeaking sounds in order to scare off potential predators.

Scientific Name: Subfamily - Dynastinae
Range: terrestrially cosmopolitan (except polar regions)
Size: 4mm (0.15 inches) to 6 inches (150mm)
Diet: larvae - wood, roots, stems, decaying material; adults - nectar, sap, leaves, fruit
Lifespan: 1-3 years

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[bugjams]

It's worth pointing out how strong these guys are. There's a rumor that says they can life 750x their weight, but it's not true. More scientific studies show they can lift around 30-60x their own weight (100x is possible but they can barely move), which is still really impressive. Given they weigh about 30 grams as adults, a single one can lift over 5 pounds!

Another cool fact about them is that they have super powerful respiratory systems. When carrying heavy loads, most bugs increase their oxygen burn to an equivalent level as their weight (ie. If an ant picks up another ant, it will increase its breathing to 2x its normal rate). Rhino beetles don't need to increase their oxygen burn nearly as much when carrying heavy loads. A rhino beetle carrying 30x its own weight won't burn 30x more oxygen than normal, it'll only burn 5x more. Scientists are still studying them to figure out how they maintain such efficient levels of breathing.

[moralkombat]

I remember seeing a green rhinocerous beetle in missouri as a kid. Haven't seen one since.

[Mr-.Facts.]

Rhinoceros beetles are also widely used for gambling in Asia, mainly Northern Thailand ( :

[keniel-prime]

If you say their name, you will achieve heaven.

[FriendlyKat]

I didn't know they were nocturnal! This is a very cool and informative video!

[DanDaFreakinMan]

I had a pet rhinoceros beetle like the one in the thumbnail, named Raymon

[michaelreed]

Hello. Do you know how many rhino beetle species been recorded in Japan and Taiwan? Thanks. :)

[swordinthehanger]

All I think of is Dim from Bugs Life everytime I see this beetle 🪲

[HangNguyen-mbnh]

Me saw the thumbnail: does it say im sometime bigger than a baby

And i look back and it says bigger as baby

[cherriemay]

If I had a rhino beetle and I'd name him Kane Lucano 😂

[AtrociousAllosaurus]

Great video! On the subject of beetles: can we get a video on the blue death feigning beetle? Thank you!

[TheZiiFamily]

Wait “subclass: dynastinae” the horned dynastid in animal Crossing is a kinda real name

[akaniotevanos]

Yay, rhino beetles! The tanks of the insect world :P Thanks for the vid :)

[ashleyodle]

I got a pet one I keep in my aquarium. I saved it from the river a few weeks ago

[igris]

Very cool! Could you do a video on mantis flies?

[jjbentley]

I've started studying these guys really cool I've ordered slot to keep under frame.