The Small, but Mighty, Hercules Beetle

Reaching up to 17 cm in length, the Hercules beetle is one of the largest insects in the world. They’re commonly identified by the characteristic horn-like pincers found on male beetles. Just like its heroic namesake, these little guys are strong. They can lift and carry up to 850 times their own weight. Despite their formidable strength, deforestation and loss of habitat has left the species threatened in the wild.

This story is a part of our Planet Earth series. From mammals to insects and birds to reptiles, we share this great big world with all manner of creatures, large and small. Come with us to faraway places as we explore our great big planet and meet some of its wildest inhabitants.

Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com

[Promance]

So sad that so many species are under threat. Poor guy

[snailevangelist]

He's kind of an adorable beetle tho

[Legalis_R]

I can single handedly save the species by releasing all of my Hercules beetles in my Animal Crossing home storage

[denisethasder]

Sounds like a helicopter when it flies

[rayoverde]

Beautiful insect, and a great pet if you know how to take care of him

[zacharydavidson]

No matter what happens to me in my future, for the love of god save this bad ass beetle from extinction

[iiitzmaximusii]

The hercules beetle is the one insect which really deserves its name

[oswaldoadrian]

Please tell me that i"m not the only one that when at 0:33 saw the pencil thought of puting it on the bug so you can se it break it

[b_uppy]

They can carry 850 times their own weight but can they carry a tune???

[SJHFoto]

I don't know why even reputable science books say that these guys can lift 850 times their weight. I mean, yes, they are strong, but these beetles weigh about 120 grams or 0.25 of a pound. If it could lift 850 times its weight, it could lift me! (or 212.5 lbs)! That's GROSSLY overstated!

[DesireCreative.]

when its a worm : ugly

when its a beetle : cute


when i need a hotel : trivago

[hawesomedelasauce]

Oh, yeah, they can fly too...




*THEY CAN FLY?!*

[mandypainise]

Me: I the Beatles!
Person: Really?! Here you go, I was just watching a beetle video!
Me: Omg, show me!
Person:




Me: *slightly crying sounds*

[ilIegaIBugTrader]

I’m getting flash backs on the man holding its nose and it flying

[BantiarnaMacRaghnaill]

I found one of these in a Kroger parking lot last summer. He was magnificent! I'd not seen one since I was a kid.

[Charles-SG]

People say it looks disgusting, but I think it’s adorable.

[saadbukhari]

Great big story is such an original and beautiful channel. No bullshit.

[berrytea]

Kinda cute tho XD it has a sparkle in it's eyes and the fuzz on it's head looks like hair

[TheKrisiscool]

They are also native to East Tennessee. I find them at least once every 2 years in the summer/fall

[jacksonpippert]

I was in Ecuador and I checked one of these out and it jumped on my shirt and I was screaming my lungs out one I was clamped on I have never screamed so loud.