# Atlas Beetle The Atlas Beetle is known for its huge horns, which look like a superhero's mask! They are strong and can lift objects many times their weight. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tropical forests ![Atlas Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424463/objects/5590.jpg) ## Appearance The Atlas Beetle is a large, impressive insect with a glossy, metallic green-black exoskeleton. Males are distinguished by three massive, curving horns on their head and thorax, which they use to wrestle rivals. Females are smaller and lack these prominent horns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Dicronorhina ## Interesting facts - Atlas Beetles are so strong, they can push obstacles up to 850 times their own body weight! - Male Atlas Beetles are named after the Greek Titan Atlas, who held up the sky! - Their larvae are massive grubs that can be as big as a child's finger, living underground for years! - These beetles can make a loud squeaking sound by rubbing parts of their body together when they feel threatened! ## Special abilities - **Horned Warrior:** Atlas Beetles have three massive horns that help them wrestle rival males for mates or prime feeding spots. - **Mighty Lifter:** Atlas Beetles possess incredible strength, allowing them to lift objects many times their own body weight to clear obstacles. - **Armored Flight:** Atlas Beetles can fly powerfully, protected by their hard, metallic exoskeletons that shield them from bumps and predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 150-250 mm - **Size:** 50-130 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Atlas Beetles sip sweet tree sap and fruit, while their larvae munch on rotting wood. - **Age differences:** Larvae are detritivores, feeding on decaying wood, while adults consume tree sap and ripe fruit. - **Primary Foods:** Tree sap, Ripe fruit, Decaying wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Crab-eating Macaque (*Macaca fascicularis*) — Monkeys opportunistically prey on adult beetles. - **Depends on:** Durian tree (*Durio zibethinus*) — Adults feed on sap and fallen fruit from these trees. - **Eaten by:** Spotted Wood Owl (*Strix seloputo*) — Nocturnal owls hunt flying adult beetles. - **Eaten by:** [Wild Boar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-boar) (*Sus scrofa*) — Boars dig up and consume large beetle larvae in soil. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlas Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Atlas Beetle's wingspan? 150-250 mm ### How big is Atlas Beetle? 50-130 mm ### How long does Atlas Beetle live? 60-120 days ### How fast can Atlas Beetle fly? 18 km/h ### What does Atlas Beetle eat? Adult Atlas Beetles sip sweet tree sap and fruit, while their larvae munch on rotting wood. ### Where is Atlas Beetle usually found? Tropical forests ### How does Atlas Beetle hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Atlas Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlas-beetle)