Japanese Rhino Beetle Facts

Appearance

• The Japanese rhinoceros beetle is so named for the large horn that protrudes upwards from the front of the beetle's head. The beetles have a thick brown shell and are just over 2 inches in length. The horn has two components. The first is a shorter horn on the top of the head and the second is a larger and longer horn that emerges from the front of the beetle's head just like a rhino's horn.

Food

• Because these beetles are often kept as pets, it is important to know what they look upon as food sources. Rotten wood is the preferred food of most species of rhino beetle, including the Japanese rhino beetle. In the wild, the beetles make their homes in forests where rotten wood is in abundance, but captive ones need to be provided food in order to live. These beetles also enjoy fruit and liquids with sugar in them.

Life Cycle

• The Japanese rhinoceros beetle is not a particularly long-lived animal. One of the reasons that they are raised in captivity and sold as pets is so that children get them as young as possible. Longer lived variety of beetles are sometimes gathered from the wild instead. On average, a Japanese rhinoceros beetle lives for around one year.

Behavior

• While beloved as pets by children, the beetles aren't as admired by adults in the countries where they are a pest. Because of their fondness for sugar and the wood of trees, they can be quite damaging to the garden. The bugs are active at night and tend to move towards lit areas during the hours of darkness.