Rhinoceros beetle: Difference between revisions

'''Rhinoceros Beetles''' are known to be one of the strongest animals in the world. They get their name because they have a horn on the top of their head. They are nocturnal animals who are heavily protected and are rarely viewed upon as prey. They are common pets around the world because they are harmless, clean animals who are easy to take care of. They are fun and entertaining to watch when u get one in your hands.

The Rhinoceros beetles are one of the largest beetles. They can grow up to six inches long and way up to four ounces. <ref> Urquhart, Gerald [https://msu.edu/user/urquhart/rainforest/Content/Rhinoceros-Beetle.html/ Rhinoceros Beetle] ''The Virtual Rainforest''. Accessed January 4th, 2016. </ref> The males make them well know because they can have horns almost as long as their bodies. Their horns are used to dig and fight other males during mating season. Beetles have a very tough shell to protect themselves and their colors come in a variety of color. They sometimes even have fur! <ref> [http://interesting-animal-facts.com/Strongest-Animal-Facts/Rhinoceros-Beetle-Facts.shtml/ Rhinoceros Beetle Facts] ''Animal Facts''. Accessed January 4th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref> The length and size of the horns show how healthy the beetle is. <ref> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynastinae/ Dynstinae] ''Wikipedia''. Last Modified September 4th, 2016. Author Unknown </ref> Rhinoceros beetles are considered to be the strongest animal on earth, being able to carry 850 times its own weight! Thats like a human carrying 9 fully grown elephants. <ref> [http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/invertebrates/rhinoceros-beetles.aspx/ Rhinoceros Beetles] ''National Wildlife Federation''. Accessed January 4th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref>

In the life cycle of the rhinoceros beetle, complete metamorphosis occurs as it goes through the stages of the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. If there are several males in the environment, they will fight, and the victorious beetle will get to mate the female. After mating, she will lay her white eggs that are also called ova. She can lay up to 50 eggs at once and it takes 3-4 weeks for the eggs to hatch. <ref> Troutman, Devon [https://digitalinsectcollection.wikispaces.com/Rhinoceros+Beetle/ Rhinoceros Beetle] ''Digital Insect Collection''. Accessed on January 4th, 2017. </ref>  When they hatch, the beetles are in their larvae stage, which is when they eat alot and develop. They also molt three times and every period between the molting is called an instar. <ref> [https://www.rhinobeetle.co.uk/index.php/template/rhinobeetle-lifecycle/ Rhinobeetle Lifecyle] ''Rhinobeetle UK''. Last Modified October 31st, 2016. Author Unknown </ref> After 12-18 months, the beetle will enter their next stage of life...the pupa. This is when the beetle molts one last time and digs itself a hole and stay there for months without food. This stage can last up to 18 months. <ref> [https://www.cuteness.com/article/life-cycle-rhinoceros-beetle/ Life Cycle Rhinoceros Beetle] ''Cuteness''. Accessed January 4th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref> Once the beetle is done with this stage, they are adults. They will mate, and continue this life cycle. <ref> [http://www.insectfarm.com.au/newsletters/Life-Cycle-2-Rhino-Beetle.pdf/ Life Cycle 2 Rhino Beetle] ''Rhinoceros Beetle''. Accessed January 4th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref>

Rhinoceros beetles havent really been considered pests but as their population has grown, they have damaged plants. <ref> [http://mypestprevention.com/2014/03/rhinoceros-beetles/ Rhinoceros Beetles] ''Rhinoceros Beetles''. Accessed January 18th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref> The beetles dont have very many predators due to its heavy protection so their population grows. The predators that they do have are pigs, rats, and ants. They also have two diseases that can kill them which are the Metarhizium anisopliae and the Oryctes virus. <ref> [http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/adap/ASCC_LandGrant/Dr_Brooks/BrochureNo8.pdf/ Brochure No 8] ''Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle''. Published June 30th, 1914. Author Unknown </ref> In some ways, the rhinoceros beetles help the environment. Their larvae eat things like compost and dead leaves which help recycle. <ref> Troutman, Devon [https://digitalinsectcollection.wikispaces.com/Rhinoceros+Beetle/ Rhinoceros Beetle] ''Rhinoceros Beetle''. Accessed January 18th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref> Since they are nocturnal, they hide underground or inside plants to hide during the day. At night they are attracted to and stick around lights. When in danger, the beetle will give out a squeak by rubbing its wings against its abdomen. Tho it isnt very loud, that is all the noise it will ever make. <ref> [https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/rhinoceros-beetle/ Rhinoceros Beetle] ''Animal Corner''. Accessed January 18th, 2017. Author Unknown </ref> Adult beetles are known to eat a variety of fruit. They make great pets in Asia because they dont hurt people and they are clean animals to take care of. <ref> Newton, Blake [http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/hercules/hercules.htm/ Hercules] ''Kentucky Insects''. Last Modified May 7th, 2005. </ref>

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