Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules)

Short answers

Hercules beetle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Adult beetle 60×40×40 cm; larvae individually — L1–L2 in 4–6 litre containers, L3 males in 10–20 litres with a container at least 20 cm wide.

Hercules beetle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–25 °C, at night 18–22 °C (not clearly below 18 °C).

Hercules beetle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Hercules beetle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: beetle approx. 3–6 (up to ~12) months; larval development approx. 1.5–2 years.

Hercules beetle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–25 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C (not clearly below 18 °C)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

adult beetle 60×40×40 cm; larvae individually — L1–L2 in 4–6 litre containers, L3 males in 10–20 litres with a container at least 20 cm wide

Substrate

A finely mixed substrate of deciduous forest humus and white-rotted wood (about 1:1), partly coco humus; damp, not wet; no heat mat underneath

Feeding

Food

Beetles: beetle jelly, overripe fruit; larvae: a white-rot wood or humus substrate (flake soil)

Feeding interval

beetles: jelly or fruit 2–3×/week; the larvae feed continuously from the substrate, replace it regularly

Key facts

Adult size

males up to ~17 cm (with the horn) – the longest beetle in the world; females approx. 5–8 cm

Life expectancy

beetle approx. 3–6 (up to ~12) months; larval development approx. 1.5–2 years

Origin

Central America / northern South America, the Lesser Antilles (Dominica among others)

Protection status

No CITES, no special protection; no registration duty

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keeping adult beetles singly is the least stressful: males fight, no groups of males; male and female only together for about one week for mating. Keep larvae SINGLY (space requirements; they do not eat each other but injure each other, especially while moulting)

Notes

A high substrate and space requirement, and long development; fine, damp substrate = larger beetles. Common mistakes: a heat mat (drying out), substrate that is too coarse or too dry, and keeping the larvae together. Nocturnal.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (adult beetle 60×40×40 cm; larvae individually — L1–L2 in 4–6 litre containers, L3 males in 10–20 litres with a container at least 20 cm wide), substrate (A finely mixed substrate of deciduous forest humus and white-rotted wood (about 1:1), partly coco humus; damp, not wet; no heat mat underneath), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.