Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus)

Short answers

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

Beetles (a pair): approx. 30×20×25 cm; a breeding box from 40 l; larvae individually or together at 2–5 l per larva.

Japanese rhinoceros beetle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Japanese rhinoceros beetle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Japanese rhinoceros beetle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: beetle approx. 2–4 (up to 6) months; the whole cycle approx. 10–12 months (one generation a year).

Japanese rhinoceros beetle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 % (substrate damp, not dripping wet)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

beetles (a pair): approx. 30×20×25 cm; a breeding box from 40 l; larvae individually or together at 2–5 l per larva

Substrate

Flake soil or a fermented deciduous-wood humus substrate, at least 15 cm deep for egg-laying, damp; lay branches or bark on top to help them right themselves

Feeding

Food

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

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

males approx. 40–80 mm (including the forked horn), females approx. 35–55 mm

Life expectancy

beetle approx. 2–4 (up to 6) months; the whole cycle approx. 10–12 months (one generation a year)

Origin

East Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China)

Protection status

No CITES, no special protection; no registration duty

Brumation

The larvae naturally go through a cool overwintering; kept warm they can usually be bred without a separate rest period

Cohabitation

Group housing works well for this species: beetles tolerate each other in pairs or small groups, even though males occasionally compete over females or feeding spots. From the second instar onward larvae are not cannibalistic and can be raised communally without issue given enough substrate; only very young larvae may occasionally attack each other.

Notes

Beginner-friendly, robust, and no cannibalism problems among the larvae. Branches and bark are needed so the beetle can turn itself off its back. Nocturnal. A common mistake is substrate that is too wet.

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Related species

• 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
• Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) – Intermediate
• European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (beetles (a pair): approx. 30×20×25 cm; a breeding box from 40 l; larvae individually or together at 2–5 l per larva), substrate (Flake soil or a fermented deciduous-wood humus substrate, at least 15 cm deep for egg-laying, damp; lay branches or bark on top to help them right themselves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.