Blue Death Feigning Beetle.wmv

Blue Death Feigning Beetles (Asbolus verrucosus) are one of the best insect species to keep as pets. They get the name from their response to danger--they play dead. They can live up to 20 years, are safe to hold and eat common foods like dried dog food, carrots, etc.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• blue
• death
• feigning
• beetle
• ironclad
• ghost
• asbolus
• verrucosus

[shannan4321]

are these rare beetles or very common?

[bugsincyberspace]

@shannan4321 Very common where they occur (SW USA).

[fisheydude9]

Funny little buggers. Are these easy to find outside? I'm going to Flagstaff AZ and grand canyon and a bug friend wants me to bring some back to Kentucky for her.

[bugsincyberspace]

@fisheydude9 They aren't terribly difficult to find if you're in the right place. Check under ground debris in desert areas and walk the trails carefully with a flashlight at night.

[sunnysweetlight1]

How can you tell if its a boy or girl? And whats there favorite food?

[bugsincyberspace]

@sunnysweetlight1 They seem to relish dried pet food, but I've been surprised to find very few things they won't eat. The meat of a brazil nut was left untouched, though I suspect it may have been the smooth, hard surface that prevented it from getting a mandible-hold on it, rather than an issue of taste.

Boys tend to be smaller, though adult size is also affected by factors of nutrition and access during the larval phases. In mating pairs, males are piggybackin' on the females.

[najoheuer]

@jman3267 Ironclad Beetles are an entire subfamily of beetles, this s a specific species.

[warriorhero52]

Do you mind sending me a simple care guide because i am thinking of getting some

[chellepower]

omg a braided braid!!!!!!! lol cute. btw nice choice of music in the beginning!

[jman3267]

Is this another name for ironclad beetles or are they a close relative?

[sandaili]

May I ask - what kind of substrate do you use for breeding them? I have heard some people have success with oak leaves and dirt but you suggest using sandy substrate?

[FobbyLocz]

Something decent on youtube to watch finally. Great video, great insects, great care on them, great everything.

[nevilleblackphoto]

I was really interested in getting some. They look fun. How long do they live for?