Blue Death-Feigning Beetles: The Best Pet Invertebrate?

Dean Rider, expert Blue Death-Feigning Beetle researcher, discusses the diet of these beetles in the wild here: arachnoboards.c...
Are Blue Death-Feigning Beetles (Asbolus verrucosus) the best pet invertebrates? In this video I take about the housing, feeding, and pros and cons of keeping Blue Death-Feigning Beetles as pets.
LINKS to Blue Death-Feigning Beetle supplies:
This is the new version of the vivarium I have used to keep my Blue death-feigning beetles in: amzn.to/2L92qLr
This is the light hood I use for the small beetle vivarium above, it works great: amzn.to/2LbJCeR
In the small vivarium, I use fluorescent bulbs like these to provide light and a little warmth for my beetles: amzn.to/2ZAM7Ln
For the larger vivarium, I use a reflector like this: amzn.to/31F0CQr
Here is some cholla wood for your beetle vivarium: amzn.to/34QmDxC
You can purchase bug jelly for your blue death-feigning beetles, a very simple and convenient food: shop.bugsincyb...
beetlesource.co...
Make your own beetle jelly! Here is blog where I found the original the bug/beetle jelly recipe:
beetlesaspets.b...
Here is my version of the DIY bug jelly/beetle jelly recipe, along with links to purchase most of the ingredients, most of which you can probably find locally:
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon agar agar powder: amzn.to/2FSFJJe
1 ripe banana
1 cup of water, divided
8.5 teaspoons dark brown sugar: amzn.to/2TfAvLm
one teaspoon of honey: amzn.to/2CFnV11
(optional) 1/2 teaspoon crested gecko diet: amzn.to/2MjFGrb
In a blender, add 1/2 cup water, the peeled banana, the brown sugar, the honey, and the optional crested gecko diet. Blend until the banana is liquified.
In a saucepan, heat the other 1/2 cup of water to boiling. Stir in the agar powder, and stir for 1-2 minutes to ensure the agar powder is completely dissolved. Next, stir the other liquified ingredients into the boiling water. Bring this mixture to a boil, and boil again for 1-2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a shallow container (such as a glass baking dish) to cool. While the mixture cools, do not move, shake, or disturb it in any way. Once the mixture has cooled, it can be cut up and/or spooned out into a jar or other container for storage in a refrigerator. It will generally keep for several months if refrigerated.
I use these 0.5 ounce deli cups to feed this bug jelly to my bugs: amzn.to/2T8LCFU
For FREE 2-Day shipping on qualifying orders, try Amazon Prime: amzn.to/2N2HuFb
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. In other words, I earn a small commission when you use that affiliate link, at no cost to you.
Sexing Blue Death-Feigning Beetles: arachnoboards.c...
Here is the thread where a Dean Rider discusses inducing pupation in Blue death-feigning beetles: arachnoboards.c...
More on keeping velvet ants with these beetles: shop.bugsincyb...

[@StormiidaeBlogspot]

This is such a cool series. I'm hooked!

[@Aquarimax]

Ursus sapien Excellent, I am glad you like it! 😊👍

[@redtsun67]

"ey bruh I think your beetles died" "nah they just playin" "bruh it's been like 3 hours" "they just playin"

[@Aquarimax]

br33z13 they can keep it up for a long time!

[@amandapittar9398]

br33z13 three days later, it’s still not moving Still alive? Big momma chows down Mmm, maybe dead?

[@float32]

I pulled mine out from under the wood chips in their tank. It’s legs were all curled up and crossed together. Mine never really play dead very well, and I’ve never see them eat or drink, so I thought maybe I wasn’t feeding them right. About a minute later the little jerk flips over and starts walking around. Owning these is an emotional rollercoaster.

[@Aquarimax]

Brandon I They can be very convincing!!

[@iksarguards]

I wish my waxy secretions looked that good

[@Aquarimax]

Vincent Delgado 🤣👍 don’t we all!

[@bbylua]

I have 9 right now! They started showing up after the earthquake in Ridgecrest, Ca this year (I live in the high desert). I found out that if you lightly dip their feetsies in water, they will come back to life lol mine like strawberries and arugula and they all sleep together in a little hut I made. I have 5 that don't play dead when I pick them up anymore, they are super cool and all different!

[@Aquarimax]

Raelynn E. I found the first one in the wild this year, and also produced my first captive-bred adult! Amazing creatures!

[@bbylua]

@@Aquarimax I just saw your video showing the captive bred one!! Congratulations! I had no idea what they were when I found my first two, I was floored to find out that people actually sell them lol they are so cool though, I've grown attached to them over the last year or so. My most recent one was found last week, it's a little tiny baby, smaller than a dime

[@Aquarimax]

Raelynn E. Thank you! I think it is interesting how the adults vary so much in size, I have one that is tiny like that too!

[@bbylua]

@@Aquarimax yes I agree! Is there any way to sex them? I just base it off gut feeling 😬

[@Aquarimax]

Raelynn E. Yes,!their antennae are much hairier on ther lower surface in males. I have an Instagram post with some macro photos of it #aquarimaxpets

[@LeeDee5]

I loved how one of them kind of chased the other one into the corner, and the one in the corner was like "ahhhI I can't move from here!"

[@Aquarimax]

Dee Ca. They are so funny to watch! 🤣👍

[@ethanross1506]

I was so surprised when you casually mentioned that you were breeding blue death feigning beetles that I had to rewind the video! I’m very impressed and I wish you the best of luck with your breeding project. My hope is that more hobbyists take up the challenge; I have absolutely no problem with paying more for beetles that I know are captive-bred, and I’d love to see more of these guys at expos in the near future!

[@Aquarimax]

Ethan Ross Thank you! He larvae are growing, I am hoping I can get them to pupate soon! I appreciate that you are willing to support the captive-bred production of beetles like these 👍

[@candyscott489]

US invert LLC has 5 fir 50 with 18 shipping right now. But the big thing is they are on their 4th generation captive bred WHAT

[@CrystslLepagnol]

I have never had one do that! I thought only the "clicking" ones feigned! They are so cute!

[@JL_Loki]

Keeping inverts isn't very common in my country so it was always educational watching your videos.

[@Aquarimax]

jl cogito Glad to hear it! It is gaining popularity here, but I meet lots of people who think it is weird 🤣👍

[@Nina_Sophia]

I love these guys. Such cute beetles. And i really like the idea of having them with velvet ants. One more thing for my wishlist of strange critters.

[@videogameman72]

I have a handful of these tankmating with my Desert Hairy scorpion, and they're a massive treat to watch when she's being shy! They're all super chill with each other, but they seem to hate the tillandsia I put on the cork tube cause they keep knocking it off. It's always nice when I come home from work cause the whole tank is bustling!

[@Aquarimax]

King Johnson that is one of the most fun aspects of these beetles....their bustling! 😊👍

[@HarunoSoul]

They're so cute! Even-tempered, no biting, and the playing dead is kinda funny, if not morbid. lol

[@Aquarimax]

😂👍

[@catpoke9557]

These beetles are adorable. I kind of want them now

[@Aquarimax]

Cat Poke Adorable is a good way to describe them!

[@FearlessP4P1]

They’re so adorable! Not only are they adorable, but they’re also quirky. I’m loving these videos

[@Aquarimax]

FearlessP4P1 Adorably quirky! Good way to put it! 😊👍 Thanks for your support!!

[@mountainhobbit1971]

wow, possibly living 17 years...that is wild! great video, thanks Rus.

[@Aquarimax]

Sean Meister We don’t normally think of insects as living so long, but...here we are! 😊👍

[@customep82]

They also make a great clean up crew for hadrurus arizonensis, I have a group of 4 with mine and they get along great.

[@Aquarimax]

tommyd1708 good point! I have heard that, but is haven’t kept any large desert scorpions yet. 😊👍

[@Z-man8768]

These beetles really interest me!

[@Aquarimax]

Zach Presnell glad to hear it! They are a pretty amazing species!

[@patchzirwes]

I just got three today! Already love the little dears! I do have a question, how often should the sand be changed? For waste and such.

[@bryanl9769]

I wanna know too 👀

[@born_again_barbie]

I am debating getting this as a pet. I really apperciate how in depth you got. How you explained every detail of their care. I really apperciate this. 🖤🖤🖤 I liked the info too in the info bar. You really covere dit all and gave links.

[@ThatKensieGirl]

I'm about to start saving up to get some of these. I am so excited, doing all of my research so I know what I'll need and how to care for them. This video was super informative! Thank you.

[@Aquarimax]

Kensie C I applaud you for doing your research first. 👏👏👏 I’m glad the video helped!

[@ThatKensieGirl]

Aquarimax Pets I do have one quick question. Aside from regular enclosure maintenance, how often should you change out the sand? Haven’t been able to find the answer to that in my research.

[@Aquarimax]

Ift partly depends on the depth of the sand and what else is mixed into it, as well as the size of the enclosure and the number of inhabitants, but every 3 to 6 months should be enough, in general.

[@ThatKensieGirl]

Aquarimax Pets Great, thank you so much!

[@bugsincyberspace]

Thanks a bunch for this video, Rus! I'm really interested to watch your progress with the larvae and can't wait for the next update. This is the best video I've seen on the topic!

[@Aquarimax]

Bugs In Cyberspace Thank you Peter! I hope to have good news soon 👍

[@bugsincyberspace]

@@Aquarimax I'll be watchin'! I found another egg today!

[@cryptid-artha]

Have you done one on hissing roaches yet? I think they are some of the best insect pets you can get!

[@Helveteshit]

@Aquarimax Pets, I've heard that you can keep it with some desert scorpions, because they don't appeal as a food source. Edit; Another trick for growing larger insects, is to raise them in a high oxygen level to adulthood. Simple trick that has proven true through science. Basically, more oxygen = larger insects. But it is quite a hassle to accomplish, due the equipment and all. But something to keep in mind.

[@Aquarimax]

Helveteshit Yes, many people keep the, with Hadrurus sp. scorpions. It would be interesting to see how big an enhanced oxygen environment could influence the size of BDFBs...but as you say, rather difficult logistically. Interesting though!

[@igris6128]

im so exited for the breeding project!

[@Aquarimax]

Igris Thank you! Me too! 😊👍

[@bugloverspiderlover8490]

I keep the super worm beetles as breeders for spider food,and they’re super easy to keep and they will eat just about anything,I feed mine pre crushed crickets,fruit, pet food and treats,even small vertebrates feeders like dead geckos,small fish and frogs.

[@Aquarimax]

Superworm beetles are great! They serve as a cleanup crew in my leopard gecko enclosure!

[@Orangutan_Stella]

Cor those larvae really resemble meal worms .. didn't suspect they would be related.. Thank you very interesting and informative

[@Aquarimax]

Stephen Miles Yep, part of the same family, Tenebrionidae. You’re very welcome!

[@faunasanctum]

Wonderful species, and yet 3 years on and i paid £16 per beetle only last week (i ended up buying three of them, im hoping for a male and two females, but we shall see when they arrive in a couple of days)

[@ThePhoenixLWL]

I would use black sand for these guys, it will really make the blue color on them stand out

[@Mckudenomg]

Here at the argentinean patagonia, those are really common, and I have actually started to breed em. Never got the courage to start keeping bugs, and these were something of my fav bug when I was a child, we call beetles cascarudos. Thanks to you I finally decided to give it a shot, dont know if theres market for em here, but is my personal project now. Thanks you so much for the info and the inspiration.

[@Aquarimax]

Okoloko Awesome! I didn’t know they ranged that far south! Or is it a related species?

[@Mckudenomg]

​ Aquarimax Pets well, the ones Im keeping I think are scotobius miliaris or pilularius, not sure, sorry im new to this, but everything you said are shared features, like mimicking dead, or getting darker when raining. I also got em in a desertic like ambience. And so far, Its been 2 months and they look good.

[@Aquarimax]

Okoloko I looked up these beetles. Very similar in appearance to Asbolus verrucosus. Fascinating! I wish you the best of luck breeding them! 👍

[@hogtownballs5099]

Just wanted to let you know that I have Isopods now because of your videos. Plants springtails and house gecko's came second! 👍🦎

[@Aquarimax]

Hogtown Balls & dog's That is marvelous!! It makes me smile to know that 😊👍

[@cs4870]

I just bought a pair at my local reptile show!!! I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!

[@cs4870]

Hey Rus! My BDFBs are both acting strangely and appear disoriented perhaps? They both are moving with exaggerated movements of their legs and they keep flipping onto their backs. Any thoughts on how I might be able to help them?

[@onyxi.x5777]

This look really cool... I used to want one but of course there illegal in Canada

[@benjaminwilliamson4139]

I would have thought every bug legal in the US was also legal in Canada because they are connected

[@pencilRC1]

Same with giant African land snails, it’s illegal in the U.S

[@janetwebster5099]

Does not surprise me at all the Canadian Govt is so controlling it makes me sick. They seem to enjoy banning things just cause they can with no relationship to actual risk or lack there of. Example: Flavored Vape Juice ban they are now trying to impose on us. And yes I live here (unfort @ this point)

[@patrickkerr329]

Another great video! Way to leave us with a cliffhanger! Lol. I’m anxiously awaiting the conclusion of your BDFB breeding project. Good luck! Someday I hope to get come captive bred ones.

[@Aquarimax]

Patrick Kerr “Tune in next time, when the BDFB says....”. 🤣👍 I hope you can be one of the first to get some CB-BDFBs!!

[@hogtownballs5099]

Isopods and the individual climate requirement for each species, and housing and ventilation all are excellent content! 👍

[@Aquarimax]

Hogtown Balls & dog's Thank you, I am glad it is appreciated 😊👍

[@teresadiaz2050]

I have a BDFB now and your video was very helpful

[@Aquarimax]

Teresa Diaz excellent! Glad to hear it 👍

[@jonathanhead302]

I wish you luck in breeding!

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

I have some blue death Beetles from Pete Clausen and they are very entertaining to watch, so I really hope your captive breeding project skyrockets, maybe it will bring the high cost down. I am searching for a very large Isopod species that is also a fast breeder. I heard that the giant canyon, or dairy cow Isopod is a good choice. These inverts should be sent USPS 2 day priority shipping with one heat pad, instead of the ridiculously high cost of FedEx.

[@Aquarimax]

Progressive Discussions Thank you! Dairy cows are my suggestion, and they do ship very well priority with a heat pack this time of year. 👍

[@unlimitedbug]

i want some of these little dudes now

[@Aquarimax]

just a bug They are awesome!

[@barbhelle5481]

Thank you Russ. They are neat.

[@SupremeGecko]

Great video Rus. These are awesome inverts. I love all the info you give on your videos. Thanks for the links on the lighting too!

[@Aquarimax]

Supreme Gecko Thank you Wally, and you are most welcome!

[@wesleytownsend8214]

Wow the KZbin recommendation list led me correct for once. Superb done! All the best to you and yours!

[@Aquarimax]

Wesley Townsend I am glad KZbin led you here! Thank you so much! 👍

[@ianaliciaperry5243]

Another fantastic video!! Very excited to see more updates on these guys. :) I'm definitely interested in keeping this species in the future.

[@Aquarimax]

Ian Alicia Perry Thank you!! I’ll make sure to post updates 👍

[@saladv3028]

It's interesting that the larvae looks like superworms, I thought they're going to be more like a grub

[@bugloverspiderlover8490]

They’re in the same family as super worms.

[@alexcarter8807]

You should see about showing some "forward roll" spiders. They're spider that when startled, do a really cool forward roll like a tiny commando. I guess they're around central California because that's where I was when I found one on my desk. But I saw them outside too.

[@Aquarimax]

alex carter That sounds really cool!

[@DRaquascapes]

They like temps about 80-85..ive seen mine all gather against the glass where the heat pad when I turn on the light for the live cactus.i was attempting to be the first to captive breed this species 7 years ago.. with continued failure. I'm still trying. I have some new information that may help with my success,so fingers crossed.

[@Aquarimax]

DANNYR I wish you success with yours! 👍

[@DRaquascapes]

@@Aquarimax thank you

[@ImperialistJoe]

17 years is beyond insane for an invertibrate!

[@Aquarimax]

Indeed it is!

[@reliakitten3692]

I have one and there are a few flaws in this video you should use course substrate anything fine will get stuck in there joints and if stuck they will become immobile and die. Do not use any decorations higher than about 3 inches off of the substrate they are clumsy and will fall you don't want them to fall to there deaths also do not feed them anything acidic it's dangerous because it will dehydrate them and if you're trying to get that beautiful blue color I suggest a nano heat lamp no higher then 5 wats and I have about two low mat heaters as well as a digital thermometer the warmer they are the more blue they will be! Just don't go above about 85 degrees unless you want a cooked beetle there wonderful pets but they can be picky mine only eats celery fresh dead crickets and apples I've had mine for about 2 years now

[@callmegoats]

I was confused about why they don´t move sometimes until I translated what they are death-feigning beetles. That explains it.

[@Aquarimax]

Chruzie_ it is a strange name for sure...for a unique creature. 👍

[@themantisgarden]

These things are still quite expensive over here (England) - I'm hoping they start breeding them soon lol Nice video Russ :)

[@matt98tran]

Just wanting to say thanks for uploading this video. I've been wanting to keep these guys for a long time but could never find good proper information.This video has helped a lot. Thanks a bunch. Now I just need to figure if they're even legal in my jurisdiction.😅

[@Aquarimax]

Matthew Tran glad to help! I hope they are allowed in your area!

[@brookem3232]

Omggg so cute, especially with the jelly

[@Aquarimax]

Brooke m yes! It is so fun to watch them eat!

[@drake5557]

Worth subscribing!

[@Aquarimax]

Drake Delighted to welcome you to Aquarimax !

[@blueboyinc.6631]

How do I tell if one is fainted then one is dead? I ordered some and one of them looks dead but I know that they faint

[@Aquarimax]

DryB0nez07 Let it sit for a while, days if necessary. A dead one will usually eventually lose its blue color, fading to black over time.

[@_icosa_]

petco has started selling these guys as well as millipedes! im glad that theres starting to be more availability of invertebrate pets :]

[@nokiot9]

I see these all the time when I’m out herping in the middle of the night in the summertime. I always thought they were a variety of stink beetle because we have a shiny big black stink beetle that’s ground dwelling and the same size and loves the same habitat and food as these so I never messed with them lol. I’m pretty sure they’re the same type you have. It’s the Sonoran desert. They like climbing up into cholla and munching on berries and flowers and I’ve even seen them eating creosote bush. And OMG I was literally typing they move just like velvet ants when you showed yours 😂

[@nokiot9]

If anybody wants em of giant Sonoran millipedes I’m your guy lol. These things are EVERYWHERE in the spring and summer. Especially when it rains. You just gotta make sure when you’re collecting anything you skip every other one. I used to collect bark scorps for anti venom and I’d only take every 3rd one if it was the right size and didn’t have young on its back. Because fish and game doesn’t survey for non aquatic invertebrates in any state so it’s up to the people collecting to maintain the populations and be responsible. It also helps to go to a different area every time so you don’t effect one place too much.

[@Aquarimax]

Tommy Ohlrich These are all over the Sonoran desert...that is indeed what you are seeing! You are fortunate, I would love to go herping there sometime.

[@Aquarimax]

Tommy Ohlrich I am glad that you are making an effort to collect sustainably 👍

[@nokiot9]

Aquarimax Pets if you ever come down look me up on FB. I’ll show you some good spots near Tucson and Phoenix and Nogales area. It’s a beautiful place if you can get past the heat.

[@Aquarimax]

Tommy Ohlrich sounds awesome!!

[@lunarmoved]

Awesome I want some. I subscribed just because that fish that came out stating to subscribe was so funny lol

[@Aquarimax]

Thank you! I wonder how many subscribers that fish has earned me?

[@lunarmoved]

@@Aquarimax it caught me off guard and I cackled. so I was like ah you got me fish.

[@clairew1987]

Hi russ, these are fascinating little creatures. Are they active during the day? I think they’d make a lovely display pet x

[@clairew1987]

Sorry russ, watched the video a bit more and you’ve answered it!! X

[@KB-si5fx]

I've got two of them. ❤️❤️

[@bbseal6174]

Thank you rus of aquarimax, very cool. On an extremely unrelated note, what do people do at homecoming. Ill be there at 10 pm😳

[@Aquarimax]

bbSeal Thank you! I think mostly hang out and maybe dance a bit, from what I recall. Good luck!

[@Lerieiz]

Can you keep these with stenocara dentata? Great video as well as usual Rus!

[@Aquarimax]

I would imagine so, but I have never kept S. dentata...my first thought is that you might need to mist the S. dentata occasionally to allow them to collect moisture as they would in the wild, but avoid misting A. verrucosus.

[@mikeycityify]

You had me at these videos. Subbed!

[@Aquarimax]

Andy Michael Madrona I really appreciate the support! Welcome!

[@elijahkraatz9700]

Off topic, but do you play classical or flamenco guitar? Love the videos!

[@Aquarimax]

I wish I did! Thanks! 😁

[@salvolondon]

I like their color .

[@Aquarimax]

Salvo Smith Blue is my favorite color 😊👍

[@jff1813]

Should any animals still be taken from the wild for the pet trade? The high price of these would certainly encourage large numbers being taken.

[@Aquarimax]

J FF That is precisely why I (and others) are working on creating a captive-bred population of these beetles. 👍

[@sunstorm4436]

does he have a vid in tiger beetles?

[@Aquarimax]

Sun Storm I do love tiger beetles...maybe a video someday...

[@the_animal_ark]

I like how the bugs play dead. Its funny. Great vid btw. Can we get more bug and other critter care and setups. Thx 😂 the bugs are so funny and weird

[@Aquarimax]

Pets 4ever1 Yes! I’m planning to make lots more videos n this series 😎👍

[@sergelucca635]

5:08 Beetle: YUM! YUM! JELLY! YUM! YUM! few moments later 8:12 Beetle: MMM! MMM! YUM! JELLY!

[@Aquarimax]

Serge Lucca it’s pretty tasty (don’t ask me how I know)

[@sergelucca635]

@@Aquarimax i just love how they eat it. it is visually amazing.

[@Aquarimax]

Serge Lucca very true...super engaging to watch!

[@jdssurf]

finally just scored three of them, hooray lol.

[@Aquarimax]

How are they doing?

[@usingerinamoapensis180]

Great job!

[@DaennyZeppeli]

Would love to have some in my big empty desert terrarium (4m×1m) but sadly I'm from Europe and I have like no beetle expos and shops near and I can't order them... I would love to try to breed them, wouldn't be that hard if I have a really big enclosure with many different conditions across the 4 meters of my terrarium

[@joshuapowers5590]

Mine come in the mail tomorrow 😁

[@Aquarimax]

Joshua Powers excellent! I know you will enjoy them!

[@rachelvedock6376]

What time of day are these most active? I know you said crepuscular, but my "crepusular" gargoyle gecko isn't active until 10 or 11pm. I'm looking for something that is active and visible in the afternoon (like from 1-5pm). Thanks!

[@Aquarimax]

These beetles CAN be active at any time. If you have a group of say, 10 of them, you are much more likely to see daytime activity than if you have one or two. That said, they are more active in the evening hours.

[@dbachelorsplantedaquarium4711]

They are beautiful

[@Aquarimax]

dbachelor's Planted Aquarium Thank you, the color is quite fantastic ! 😊👍

[@eehhee7675]

I think I might get some for my brother and sister(and me because I like little micro pets) so they can get used to bugs.

[@AverageAlarm511]

What is the best natural substrate. For like a bioactive environment

[@Aquarimax]

AverageAlarm511 In my experience, sand, with some organic matter added (crushed hardwood leaf litter, coco fiber) works really well, and will support larvae as long as there is a somewhat moist area.

[@charlyei]

What is the smallest size tank they should be kept in?

[@Aquarimax]

charlyei hard to say...as it partly depends on the surface area of decor such as wood and rocks. The surface area adds useable space. The smallest permanent enclosure I have ever kept them in had an 8” by 8” footprint, and now they are in a 20 gallon long vivarium.

[@candyscott489]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 I just got five of them !!

[@Aquarimax]

I hope They thrive and breed for you!

[@kinglyzard]

Beetle Jelly, Beetle Jelly BEETLE JELLY!!!

[@Aquarimax]

MadCity Jack i do love the beetle jelly!!

[@heartache5742]

they're very cute

[@Aquarimax]

Emma Ulyanova I agree! 😊👍

[@OpinionatedChicken59]

They look delicious!

[@sietzeveenstra9172]

Can you get them in europe?

[@udaynain2889]

Those are so cool, I would love to keep some but im pretty sure they arent found here where i live :(

[@spacee9555]

They are also chonky cuties, I want someeeeeeeee

[@narcoticmalkavian]

Yes they are

[@Aquarimax]

Landon Perry hard to beat!

[@bantamdude]

I found some smooth shelled feigning beetles in my area. They're 1/4" long. Does anyone know about these little guys?

[@Aquarimax]

Bantamdude Rodriguez That is really small for Asbolus laevis...could it be a different species?

[@malte291]

If you have any pictures, reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug can maybe help you.

[@bantamdude]

@@malte291 I tried n it's a pain n the dick. I guess I'll never know.

[@xBloodxFangx]

I am a huge horror fan and have a small enclosure Im decorating up all like a spooky graveyard so that when I get one of these guys I can call it Beetlejuice.

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

Too many invert suppliers have been passing the high cost of FedEx express shipments instead of using USPS 2 day priority with 1 heat pad. It sucks when the cost of shipping far exceeds the cost of the inverts.

[@Aquarimax]

Progressive Discussions and for most isopods, priority with a heat pack is just fine, except in extreme weather.

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

@@Aquarimax Cape Cod Roaches and many other companies charge a lot for shipping, all except Bugs in Cyberspace. 2 Day priority, under $7.00, as long as the night time Autumn and Winter low temps permit.

[@Aquarimax]

Progressive Discussions Peter is an expert shipper, too. 👍

[@negativeinfinity4387]

Can you keep them with desert tiger beetles because it sure seems like you should be able to. They're big enough and well enough armored that the tiger beetles shouldn't even attempt to kill them. I just wanted a second opinion first though.

[@Aquarimax]

NegativeInfinity Hmmm...sounds like a cool setup! I am not sure, as I have not kept tiger beetles at all. If you do it, let me know how it goes!

[@jacoblevan9577]

Hows the beetles and the breeding doing ?

[@Aquarimax]

I have had success producing a couple of adult beetles, and have a good group of adults, but am taking a break with breeding actively due to lack of space to run the incubator...

[@the_elitist1417]

Do you need to change their substrate, and if so, how often?

[@Aquarimax]

I change the substrate infrequently…maybe every couple of years, though I do remove uneaten food much more often

[@IllusionQueen4Eva]

Genuinely curious, but why do people feed them fruits and veggies? I don't know anything about deserts. Do wild fruits and veggies grow in the desert where the beetles are found? Or are they omnivorous because they eat plant matter from the desert?

[@Aquarimax]

A valid question! Most of their diet in the wild is dead, dried insects, but they definitely do eat plant matter as well. The one time I spotted one of these eating in the wild, it was eating dried plant matter. It is not likely they have access to a lot of sugary fruit in the wild, and they should probably be fed less of that, and we should offer more insects.

[@IllusionQueen4Eva]

@@Aquarimax Thank you. Someone was arguing with me, saying that these beetles are omnivores and _need_ to have veggies and fruits in their diet. I didn't understand why they couldn't thrive on just insects and other protein-based foods like dried shrimp. And dead leaves are considered dried plant matter, right? So I'm not sure why dead leaves couldn't be used instead of fruits/veggies.

[@Plasmaspy]

my bdfb loves prekilled crickets

[@Aquarimax]

Devilmeow Yes! Mine like to munch on crickets too 😊👍

[@harveymedlicott-revell7069]

They live quite nicely with larger desert scorpion species too.(namely desert hairy scorpions) Eating the food remains and waste. The scorpions show little interest in them and dont attempt to predate on them.

[@Aquarimax]

Harvey Medlicott-Revell I have heard that...if it ever keep a desert hairy scorpion I may try this out!

[@phil3299]

What size tank is best for 4 to 5 beetles? 18 Lx18 Wx18 H in OR 30 L× 12 W x 16 H in

[@Aquarimax]

Phil I would go with the 30 L, although either is fine, and could safely house a larger number of beetles.

[@phil3299]

@@Aquarimax Would a 36 L x 18 W x 18 H be overkill?

[@Aquarimax]

Phil They would use every inch of the space, but it would be more space than required.

[@phil3299]

@@Aquarimax Thank you for your time and advice.

[@Aquarimax]

Phil you’re welcome, it is my pleasure!

[@thekingdomofanimals8323]

What do you mean by ambient lighting?

[@Aquarimax]

The Kingdom of Animals Any lighting from the surrounding room. 👍

[@Roberta-yf4ge]

They are definitely cool bugs but don’t think I’d breed them, I guess their larvae could make for decent feeders?

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

What do u mean by small vivarium? Like what happens if u keep them in a pet carrier, not for price but for space.

[@Aquarimax]

RyanWake bradtelle I think a medium pet carrier could house a half dozen of these beetles without a problem, as long as they have plenty of decor to climb.

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

@@Aquarimax thx

[@justingregoryyy]

Hey, Rus! Wondering if you're selling any of these currently. I would love a couple as part of an arid clean up crew.

[@Aquarimax]

Hi Justin! Thanks for asking. I am not producing them in numbers large enough to sell them currently. The season during which these will be widely is right about now, though.

[@justingregoryyy]

@@Aquarimax I've been searching and definitely expecting an increase. But yet to have luck yet! Thanks, Rus :)

[@BlackManSlim562]

Just got my BDFB about a week ago and it doesn't move much when it touches the substrate but it crawls all over me. I have Exoterra Desert Sand and a few small rocks in there. The sand moves quite a bit when it crawls around, could it be too soft/light for the beetle?

[@Aquarimax]

It is worth a try…you may want to give it a more solid substrate

[@jamespulido2271]

Hi guys! I looking into getting these beetles and had a question. Are the solitary or social. Should I get one or more like 3. I don't want to start breeding so I'm worried I might get a Male and a female. Any help is apreciated!

[@Aquarimax]

James Pulido It is certainly possible to keep just one. However, they seem to interact, and are more interesting in groups. Unless you have a setup that promotes breeding, you won’t need to be worried about being overrun with beetles...they larvae take species conditions to pupate, and most keepers never even see larvae unless they provide a deep substrate with suitably damp areas.

[@jamespulido2271]

@@Aquarimax ok thank you so much! I plan on getting 3 beetles from bugs from cyberspace and using play sand as a bedding. Thanks again!

[@Aquarimax]

James Pulido sounds like a good plan. You just might see an occasional larva, but they tend not to survive very long in dry play sand.

[@oatiesplushery6803]

Aquarimax Pets Hi Rus! I’m very interested in getting some of these beetles, and I was also curious about this topic. Do you know if it’s feasible/possible to request beetles of the same sex (only 2 or 3) so they don’t breed? Or if not, do you know if the beetles eat the larvae after they die (to recycle them)?

[@Aquarimax]

Oatie's Plushery Hi! It is very possible to distinguish males from females based on the setae on their antennae. Some sellers may be willing to sell you beetles of one sex...although if you get females, they might well lay eggs. By using a dry and shallow substrate, you would effectively prevent any larvae from getting very big, and the adults would likely eat any dead larvae they would encounter.

[@synivy4576]

Okay so I’ve just got my beetle his name is Blu yeahhhhh I know lol original…but I’ve notice he’s more active at night than in the morning or afternoon but I’m so nervous to hold him…I’m guessing he’s a male cuz he’s small idk tho of course. Blu loves eating turtle food and dried shrimp but absolutely hates beetle jelly lol