Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mars Elephant Beetle
AdvancedMegasoma mars
A large elephant beetle from Brazil. Attractive glossy black body and powerful horn.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
20〜28℃
Lifespan
Adult 3-6 months
Size
70-130mm
Humidity
60〜80%
Diet
Insect jelly
About
Megasoma mars, the Mars elephant beetle, is a large Megasoma species native to the tropical rainforests of northern South America, including Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil. Males reach 70–130 mm in body length and display a striking glossy jet-black coloration—notably more lustrous than the closely related elephant beetle (M. elephas). Like all Megasoma, the body is covered with fine hairs, though these are less dense in M. mars, allowing the black sheen to dominate. Captive temperature of 22–26°C is optimal. An extra-large enclosure with deep leaf litter or fermented substrate is required, as larvae grow very large and consume substantial amounts of substrate over a development period of 18–30 months. Egg-laying occurs in the substrate. Adults eat beetle jelly or banana and live approximately 3–6 months. Alongside M. elephas, M. mars is one of the most sought-after elephant beetles, prized especially for its distinctive jet-black coloration.
Basic Info
Origin
tropical rainforests of northern South America, including Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil
Lifespan
Adult 3-6 months
Size
70-130mm
Temperature
20〜28℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Diet
Insect jelly
Care Guide
Temperature
Breeding Records & Localities
Captive record (♂)
133.7 mm
Record source: BE-KUWA 2025年度版（マルスゾウ 飼育133.7mm 桐原敏郎 2023、全長=角込み）
Notable localities
ペルーエクアドルコロンビアブラジル
ゾウカブトの一種。重量感のある大型種。飼育レコードは BE-KUWA（むし社）のコンテストで毎年更新される。産地・累代（CBF/WF/WD）・サイズで個体価値が大きく変動する。
Generation codes
- WD
- Wild-caught
- WF1
- Offspring of a wild-caught female
- F1〜
- Captive generations (same locality)
- CBF1
- Cross-locality captive-bred (reset)
Sources: BE-KUWA 認定飼育レコード（むし社、2025年度版）
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: br-choku editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Megasoma mars (Reiche, 1852)
Synonyms: Megalosoma mars Reiche, 1852
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Plant Protection Act: コガネムシ上科(カブトムシ・クワガタムシ・ハナムグリ等)の生きた個体を輸入する際は、外来生物法に基づき輸出国政府機関等が発行する種類名証明書の添付が必要(輸入港は成田・中部・関西・福岡・鹿児島の各空港に限定)。本種自体は特定外来生物ではなく、証明書の添付により輸入可能。
Sources: 環境省 外来生物法「コガネムシ上科に含まれる生きた昆虫を輸入される方へ」 / CITES 附属書(checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Mars Elephant Beetle Listings
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