Tarandus Long-jawed Stag Beetle

Tarandus Long-jawed Stag Beetle key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

Adults 8-10 months

Size

Males 25.6-71 mm (wild record 71.0 mm, captive record 69.7 mm) / females about 25 mm

Temperature

23〜25℃

Diet

Beetle jelly (in the wild it gathers at the flowers of herbaceous plants)

Temperature & Humidity

The ideal range is about 23-25 C, and it must never go below 10 C. Larvae also do well at 20 C. Cyclommatus must not be kept where condensation forms, so ventilate well and moisten the substrate only until it just yields water when lightly squeezed.

Breeding & Egg-laying

It lays in both logs and substrate, and a set of firmly packed moistened fermented substrate alone works. Pack it so a wall forms against the sides of the container. One report recovered 29 first and second instar larvae from a set left two months at 25 C. Allow one to two months of maturation after emergence before pairing.

Cohabitation

House singly. In Cyclommatus the sexes differ greatly in size, so housing them together risks the male killing the female; keep valuable stock separately.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

Adults live 8-10 months. In Cyclommatus the larval stage takes two to four months for females and four to twelve for males; for this species emergence in about six months at 20 C has been reported. Feeding starts two to five weeks after emergence, and a beetle that runs out of food dies, so put jelly in before it starts feeding.

Health & Notes

Larvae often build the pupal cell away from the bottle wall, so it is hard to tell whether one is alive; time the extraction carefully. Too much water spoils the substrate, so moisten sparingly. The BE-KUWA captive record is 69.7 mm and the wild record 71.0 mm. The tarandus giant shining stag (Mesotopus tarandus) from Africa shares the name tarandus but is a different genus reared by a completely different method using turkey-tail (Trametes) mycelium, so care information must not be carried across on the name alone; check for Cyclommatus tarandus.

About Tarandus Long-jawed Stag Beetle

A medium-sized Bornean stag beetle with a reddish-brown body, yellow legs, and elegantly curved jaws. Adults live 8-10 months and suit intermediate keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Tarandus Long-jawed Stag Beetle

1. 1Watch the Temperature

   Tarandus long-jawed stag beetles are sensitive to cold, so maintaining stable warmth in the enclosure is essential. Avoid sudden temperature drops and keep conditions consistent year-round.

2. 2Elegantly Curved Jaws

   A male's jaws curve gracefully from the midpoint before tapering to a sharp tip. The degree of curvature and jaw size vary between individuals, making it interesting to compare beetles as they mature.

3. 3Size Varies by Individual

   Males range from about 25.6mm up to roughly 70mm, with a wild record of 71.0mm. Females are smaller, reaching about 25mm.

4. 4Adult Lifespan: 8-10 Months

   Adults typically live for 8 to 10 months. It is a species best enjoyed by observing gradual changes over this limited window.

5. 5Best Suited to Intermediate Keepers

   Day-to-day care is not especially difficult, but attentive temperature management makes this a better fit for intermediate keepers. First-time stag beetle keepers should prepare their setup thoroughly in advance.

6. 6Prepare the Habitat First

   Set up the enclosure, substrate, and climbing branches before bringing your beetle home for a smooth transition. Choose a location where temperature stays stable.

7. 7A Note on Availability

   The species became easier to find after a new population was discovered in Borneo in 2003. Keeping its native island habitat in mind can help when setting up the enclosure.

Frequently asked questions about Tarandus Long-jawed Stag Beetle

Q.How should I manage temperature in winter?

A.Since this species is sensitive to cold, use a heater or similar method to keep the enclosure at a stable temperature. Avoid sudden temperature swings, especially during seasonal changes.

Q.What are the visible differences between males and females?

A.Males have jaws that curve from the midpoint and range from about 25.6mm to 70mm in body length. Females lack prominent jaws and are smaller, at around 25mm.

Q.Does the jaw curvature vary between individuals?

A.Yes, both the angle and size of the jaw curve vary from beetle to beetle. This individuality is part of what makes comparing specimens enjoyable.

Q.How long do adults typically live?

A.Adults are active for roughly 8 to 10 months. It helps to keep this limited window in mind and observe daily changes after bringing one home.

Q.Can a first-time keeper raise this species?

A.It is considered suited to intermediate keepers, mainly due to the temperature management it requires. With the enclosure properly prepared in advance, first-time keepers can still take it on.

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