Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle

Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

About 8-10 months as adults, the general rule for foreign saw stag beetles

Size

Males: captive record 88.8mm (subspecies takakuwai), wild 86.0mm; females: captive record 42.6mm

Temperature

20〜24℃

Diet

Beetle jelly; larvae on fermented substrate or fungus bottles

Temperature & Humidity

Follow the standard routine for foreign saw stags and keep adults and larvae around 20-24C. Do not let winter temperatures fall below 18C or summer temperatures exceed 30C.

Breeding & Egg-laying

Use the standard set of a log buried in fermented substrate at around 23-25C. Larvae grow on either fermented substrate or fungus bottles; fungus bottles suit those aiming for size.

Cohabitation

House both sexes singly. The male's mandibles are powerful and can crush a female during pairing, so keep them together only briefly and under supervision.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

As a general rule for foreign saw stags adults live about 8-10 months. Expect a larval period of roughly six months to a year depending on temperature and food.

Health & Notes

The nominate form and the subspecies takakuwai are traded with locality data, so do not mix them. Little is known of its wild ecology, and most husbandry information comes from captive-bred lines.

About Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle

A large saw stag beetle from islands east of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Captive-bred males have reached 88.8mm (takakuwai subspecies), with powerful curved mandibles. Considered an intermediate-level species to keep.

7 things to know before welcoming a Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle

1. 1Powerful, oversized mandibles

   Males have been recorded reaching 88.8mm in captivity (takakuwai subspecies), with long, curved mandibles as their defining feature. Wild-caught males have reached 86.0mm, while females are noticeably smaller at around 42.6mm.

2. 2Best suited to intermediate keepers

   Successful care calls for some understanding of temperature, humidity, and breeding setups, making this a step up from beginner-friendly species. It's a good choice once you already have some stag beetle keeping experience.

3. 3Adults live about 8–10 months

   As with most foreign saw stag beetles, adults typically live roughly 8 to 10 months. Including the larval stage, keeping this species is a long-term commitment, so plan accordingly before bringing one home.

4. 4Never house males together

   Saw stag beetles are naturally combative, and males will fight fiercely with their mandibles. Housing two males in the same enclosure can lead to serious injury, so individual housing is standard practice.

5. 5Sensitive to heat — manage temperature

   Coming from islands east of Sulawesi, this species doesn't tolerate extreme heat, high humidity, or cold well. Keep the enclosure out of direct sunlight and in a spot with stable room temperature.

6. 6Insect jelly is the staple food

   Adults feed mainly on store-bought insect jelly, which should be replaced regularly so it never runs out. Because of their large size, provide sturdy perches or substrate so they can right themselves if they flip over.

7. 7Prepare the setup before you bring one home

   Have an enclosure, insect substrate, and climbing branches ready before your beetle arrives so it can settle in smoothly. If you're planning to breed them, it also helps to research spawning logs and breeding setups in advance.

Frequently asked questions about Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle

Q.How large does this species get?

A.Captive-bred males have reached 88.8mm (takakuwai subspecies), and wild males have been recorded at 86.0mm. Females are considerably smaller, reaching around 42.6mm.

Q.Is this beetle suitable for beginners?

A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level species, so it can be challenging for someone with no prior stag beetle experience. We'd recommend building some basic keeping experience first.

Q.How long do adults live?

A.As a general rule for foreign saw stag beetles, adults live roughly 8 to 10 months. Individual lifespans can vary, so treat this as an approximate guide.

Q.Can I keep two males together?

A.This isn't recommended. Saw stag beetles are naturally aggressive, and two males housed together will fight fiercely with their mandibles, which can result in fatal injuries.

Q.Is this species subject to any regulations?

A.Fabrice's Saw Stag Beetle is not subject to CITES. There's no regulatory concern to worry about when keeping this species.

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