Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle
BeginnerDorcus titanus sakishimanus
A subspecies of Dorcus titanus from the Yaeyama Islands such as Ishigaki and Iriomote, one of Japan's largest. Thick-bodied with stout mandibles, reaching 84 mm in captivity; prolific and hardy, it is recommended as a starter flat stag.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
20〜26℃
Lifespan
Adults 1-3 years
Size
Males 50-84.2 mm (including captive; wild up to 79.1 mm) / females 25-30 mm (wild)
Humidity
60〜80%
Diet
Tree sap, beetle jelly
About
The Sakishima flat stag (Dorcus titanus sakishimanus) is a subspecies of Dorcus titanus from the Yaeyama Islands such as Ishigaki, Iriomote and Yonaguni, described in 1964 from a male holotype from Ishigaki. Males measure 50-84.2 mm and wild females 25-30 mm; the BE-KUWA captive record is 84.2 mm (2002) and the wild record 79.1 mm, and with its broad body it is among the bulkiest Japanese stag beetles. The mandibles are stout with the first inner tooth near the middle and a row of small teeth toward the tip forming a weak saw edge. It is common in broadleaf forest, nocturnal, drawn to sap and lights, active over a long April-November season with a few adults about even in winter. Larvae grow in the buried base of dead trees and in fallen logs. It is easy to keep, prolific and fast-growing; larvae thrive in substrate or fungus bottles and reach large sizes even on substrate, so it is recommended as a beginner's flat stag. Almost all traded stock is from Ishigaki, with Iriomote stock scarce. Since the 2000s released beetles have been found on Honshu where it does not naturally occur, and genetic contamination has become serious, so never release captive stock.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle
The Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle lives Adults 1-3 years.
Size of the Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle
The Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle grows to Males 50-84.2 mm (including captive; wild up to 79.1 mm) / females 25-30 mm (wild).
Temperature & humidity for the Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle
The ideal temperature for the Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle is 20〜26℃.
Basic Info
Care Specifications
Breeding Records & Localities
Captive record (♂)
84.2 mm
Wild record (♂)
79.1 mm
Record source: BE-KUWA 2025 edition (Sakishima flat stag, captive 84.2 mm, 石川啓介 2002 / wild 79.1 mm, 吉田賢治; projected maximum 90 mm)
Notable localities
Ishigaki (Okinawa)Iriomote (Okinawa)
Regional subspecies
- Dorcus titanus sakishimanus — Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni and others)
Most traded stock is from Ishigaki. The 84.2 mm captive record has stood since 2002.
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 Certified Breeding Records (Mushi-sha, FY2025 edition PDF, JA) / Dorcus titanus - Wikipedia (JA)
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect 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: Dorcus titanus sakishimanus Nomura, 1964
Synonyms: Serrognathus titanus sakishimanus, Dorcus (Serrognathus) titanus sakishimanus
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Sources: CITES Appendix (checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Sakishima Flat Stag Beetle Listings
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