Giant Stag Beetle: Gentle Giants of The Beetle World

In this article, we talk about giant stag beetles and explain everything you need to know in order to keep them as pets in your home.

There are around 1,200 stag beetle species in the world. Most of these beetles are huge, but there are a few that stand out in terms of size and appearance. 

The giant stag beetle is one of these.

These beetles are rare to come across and are kept as unusual pets by some people. You will be surprised to know that these beetles are highly expensive to buy.

But why is this, and how should you go about getting some for yourself? How can you take care of a giant stag beetle? Let us know more about this insect through this article. 

What Are They?

Giant stag beetles (Lucanus Elaphus) are one of the biggest beetles in the US. It is the also biggest insect in the world that relies on dead wood for survival. 

Like all other stag beetles, they, too, have huge mandibles that look like the antlers of a stag. Including these huge mandibles, a giant stag beetle can grow up to 2.5 inches in length. 

Adult males have larger bodies and are often seen wrestling with mandibles to impress the females and gain mating rights. 

The females prefer to lay eggs in cracks of rotting wood. The giant stag beetle larvae are C-shaped and spend almost a year inside decaying wood to reach maturity. 

Where Do They Live?

Since the larvae hugely rely on dead and rotting wood to fulfill their diets, you will mostly spot the adult beetles near such logs in deciduous forests

This is especially true during the early stages of summer. Also, during nighttime, you might see them flying toward different light sources. 

What Do They Eat?

Adult giant stag beetles usually do not spend a lot of time eating. They rely on the fat storage developed during the larval stage to survive. 

In some instances, adult stag beetles might consume aphid honeydew, rotting fruits, and plant juices. 

The larvae feed on the white-rot obtained from dead tree logs. 

Do Giant Stag Beetles Bite?

Like other stag beetle species, giant stag beetles are not aggressive toward humans. But you must be careful around them. 

These beetles have huge mandibles and strong chewing muscles. If you are touching these beetles, always wear safety gloves to avoid bites. 

What Happens if You Get Bit by a Stag Beetle?

If you get bit by a stag beetle, you will experience a good amount of pain. 

You might also experience redness, irritation, and swelling near the wound. But thankfully, the effect only lasts for a few minutes.

You will probably not need any medical attention, and the swelling should go away fairly quickly as well.

Are They Poisonous?

A giant stag beetle bite can be painful, but it won’t have any fatal effects as they are not venomous. 

In rare cases, the bites can trigger allergic reactions in the body. If that happens, seek medical help immediately.

Life Cycle of The Giant Stag Beetle

The adult males usually flaunt their mandibles to impress the female to earn mating rights. 

Sometimes when more than one beetle is interested in the same female, they wrestle with each other to win mating rights. 

After mating, the female beetles lay eggs near some dead wooden log or tree. As soon as the larvae come out, it starts feeding on the decaying log. 

It takes around 1-3 years to complete the larval stage. They stay in a pupa for around 7-9 months before emerging as adult giant stag beetles. 

The adults live for a shorter period of time, and they spend most of it brawling and mating. 

Giant Stag Beetles As Pets

Giant stag beetles are fascinating to watch and can be kept as pets. But unfortunately, these insects are rare. 

You might have to search in several pet stores to find one that sells them. Getting a giant stag beetle is only the start. Here is a step-by-step guide to taking care of these insects as pets.

How To Keep

Once you get the pet insect, you must find a suitable tank for it to stay in. 

Ensure the tank spacious enough for the insect to move around. A fully grown adult male beetle can be easily accommodated in a 1-gallon tank. 

Also, avoid keeping more than one male in the same tank, as they might fight repeatedly. 

Add a thick layer of loose soil or hay to the bottom, as the females like to lay eggs in such spots. 

Since these beetles can fly, ensure that the tank is closed from the top and is well-ventilated. 

What To Feed

Sliced fruits like bananas, apples, oranges, and pineapples are the best thing to feed your pet stag beetles. 

Instead of directly dropping them on the tank, place them on a sauce plate. This will help you keep the tank clean and easily remove the leftovers. 

If the leftovers are kept idle for a long, mold will start growing on them. To avoid such problems, you can feed beetle jelly to the insects. It s highly nutritious and doesn’t rot easily. 

Breeding

Let your beetles mate only if you intend to breed them. Mating reduces the life span of stag beetles; therefore, you must be sure before taking the step. 

Let the beetles mate at a young age as the fertility is higher during that time. 

After mating, put the female in a separate tank with one or two rotting logs and fill it with flake soil. Remove the tree bark from the logs to make it easy for the beetles to chew through.

Taking Care of the Little Ones

The key to handling grubs properly is to provide the amount of moisture to them. Moisture is one of the essential ingredients for the survival of larvae. 

You must balance the moisture content as too much of it will hinder the breathing of the larvae and will kill them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Giant stag beetles are rare insects. Due to their huge build and appearance, they can make good pets. 

But if you are interested in keeping them, it is crucial to pay special attention to them. 

Use the tips and tricks mentioned above to keep them healthy and strong. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece.