European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis)

Short answers

European rhinoceros beetle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Larvae: a container or tub with deep compost or mulch substrate; beetles: approx. 30×30×30 cm.

European rhinoceros beetle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

European rhinoceros beetle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

European rhinoceros beetle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: the beetle lives a few weeks to months; larval development takes 3–5 years.

European rhinoceros beetle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 % (substrate evenly damp)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

larvae: a container or tub with deep compost or mulch substrate; beetles: approx. 30×30×30 cm

Substrate

Larvae: mature leaf compost or white-rot wood, bark mulch and humus-rich soil (30 cm or more deep), evenly damp; do not disturb the self-built pupal cocoon

Feeding

Food

Larvae: decaying wood, compost or leaf litter; the beetles barely feed (a little fruit or juice if anything)

Feeding interval

the larvae feed continuously from the substrate; keep it damp and top it up

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 2.5–4 cm (males up to ~4.7 cm with the horn)

Life expectancy

the beetle lives a few weeks to months; larval development takes 3–5 years

Origin

Europe, North Africa, western and Central Asia

Protection status

SPECIALLY PROTECTED in Germany (Species Protection Ordinance Annex 1, §44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act): taking it from the wild, buying, selling and possessing wild-taken animals are prohibited. Keeping it is possible only with documented captive-bred animals and proof of origin – ask the authority when in doubt

Brumation

The larvae naturally overwinter cool in compost (a univoltine or multi-year cycle); no keeper-controlled brumation of the beetles is needed

Cohabitation

The larvae in compost usually get on communally (with plenty of substrate and space); the beetles are short-lived, so pair them for breeding. Note the legal protection status when keeping them singly

Notes

The legal status is the most important point – legal captive-bred animals only. Dose the moisture carefully when watering, as the pupae go mouldy quickly. A common mistake: collecting from the wild (illegal).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Actaeon beetle (Megasoma actaeon) – Intermediate
• Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) – Intermediate
• Elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas) – Intermediate
• Goliath beetle (Goliathus goliatus) – Expert
• Grall's flower beetle (Eudicella gralli) – Beginner
• Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) – Intermediate
• European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) – Expert
• Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (larvae: a container or tub with deep compost or mulch substrate; beetles: approx. 30×30×30 cm), substrate (Larvae: mature leaf compost or white-rot wood, bark mulch and humus-rich soil (30 cm or more deep), evenly damp; do not disturb the self-built pupal cocoon), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.