# Rhinoceros Beetle (*Trypoxylus dichotomus*) The Rhinoceros Beetle is a big beetle with a horn on its head that looks like a rhinoceros! It's one of the strongest insects! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tropical forests - **Also known as:** Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle ![Rhinoceros Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425897/objects/5557.jpg) ## Appearance The Rhinoceros Beetle is a large, robust insect, typically dark brown or black. Males possess a prominent, often Y-shaped horn on their head and sometimes another on their thorax, which females lack. This distinctive horn makes them easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Trypoxylus ## Interesting facts - Male rhinoceros beetles use their impressive horns to wrestle rivals for mates! - Some species, like the Hercules beetle, can grow over 6 inches long, making them huge! - Their larvae, called grubs, can live underground for several years before transforming! - These beetles can right themselves even when flipped onto their back, using their legs! ## Special abilities - **Armored Shell:** Rhinoceros Beetle has a hard, thick exoskeleton that helps them protect their soft body from predators and impacts. - **Digging Power:** Rhinoceros Beetle can burrow deep into soil and decaying wood using its strong legs, which helps them find food and shelter. - **Night Vision:** Rhinoceros Beetle has excellent night vision because of its large compound eyes that help them navigate and find food in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-120 mm - **Size:** 30-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-180 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults feast on sweet tree sap and ripe fruit, while larvae munch on decaying wood. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume decaying wood and plant matter, while adults primarily feed on tree sap and fruit. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, rotting fruit, decaying wood - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Preys on large insects, including rhinoceros beetles. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Omnivore that will forage for large insects and grubs. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Larvae live and feed within its decaying wood. - **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Adults feed on its sweet tree sap. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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 Rhinoceros 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 Rhinoceros Beetle's wingspan? 60-120 mm ### How big is Rhinoceros Beetle? 30-80 mm ### How long does Rhinoceros Beetle live? 30-180 days ### How fast can Rhinoceros Beetle fly? 8 km/h ### What does Rhinoceros Beetle eat? Adults feast on sweet tree sap and ripe fruit, while larvae munch on decaying wood. ### Where is Rhinoceros Beetle usually found? Tropical forests ### How does Rhinoceros Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Kameyama Sunshine Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kameyama-sunshine-park) — Kansai, JP · Park ## 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: [Rhinoceros Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rhinoceros-beetle)