Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle

Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

Adults live two to three months in the wild

Size

Males 29-76.2 mm (wild record 76.2 mm; the captive record is 75.8 mm) / females 28-39 mm

Diet

Sap of broadleaf trees such as Mallotus, Machilus and Castanopsis; beetle jelly

Temperature & Humidity

Although it comes from subtropical islands, keep it like the mainland Japanese saw stag. Avoid extreme cold in winter and keep the substrate moist enough to clump when squeezed. Larval substrate does best kept on the damp side.

Breeding & Egg-laying

She lays in substrate, but along the walls and floor of the box or against a log rather than in the middle of it. Pack black soil or fully fermented fine substrate firmly. Eggs hatch in about a month and larvae take one to two years. Slightly damp fermented substrate suits them best; fungus bottles work but offer little advantage.

Cohabitation

Males are very aggressive: where the mainland saw stag mostly postures, this group grabs straight away. Females are often killed during pairing, so keep the beetles singly, house them together only a few days and separate them once mating is seen.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

Adults live two to three months in the wild. They fly from mid-June to early September; the larva builds a pupal cell in spring, pupates in about a month and emerges about a month later. In captivity beetles that emerge by August become active after some two months, while later ones usually stay dormant even under temperature control.

Health & Notes

Males of this group cannot chew an exit hole through wood, so the larva usually leaves the log and builds its pupal cell in the soil; give it a deep layer of substrate. The subspecies are separated island by island, so never release captive beetles or cross stock from different localities.

About Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle

A subspecies of the Amami Saw Stag Beetle found only on Tokunoshima Island. It has a stockier build than the nominate form, with a gap between the mandible's first and second inner teeth as a key ID point, and body color from black to dark reddish-brown; suited to intermediate keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle

1. 1A Tokunoshima Endemic

   The Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle occurs naturally only on Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, as a subspecies of the Amami Saw Stag Beetle. It isn't found in the wild anywhere else, so it's worth appreciating that rarity before bringing one home.

2. 2A Stockier Build

   Compared with the nominate Amami Saw Stag Beetle, this subspecies has an overall stockier, shorter build. Another identifying feature is the gap between the first and second inner teeth on the mandibles.

3. 3Body Color Varies

   Coloration ranges from black to dark reddish-brown, so individuals can look quite different even within the same subspecies. Consider that variation part of the appeal when choosing one.

4. 4Females Have Ridges Too

   Females may look plainer at first glance, but they show distinctive ridged striations on their elytra, a notable trait of this subspecies. It's worth appreciating the texture of a female's wing covers, not just a male's mandibles.

5. 5Males Can Grow Large

   Adult male body length ranges from 29 to 76.2mm, with the largest wild-caught record reaching 76.2mm. If you want to enjoy an especially impressive set of mandibles, keep this size range in mind when selecting an individual.

6. 6A Short Adult Lifespan

   In the wild, adults typically live only about 2 to 3 months. Because that window is short, attentive daily care and observation matter all the more.

7. 7Basic Care Know-How Helps

   This species is generally considered suited to intermediate keepers, so some familiarity with temperature and humidity management and enclosure setup is reassuring. First-time keepers should review the basics of stag beetle care before bringing one home.

Frequently asked questions about Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle

Q.Where does the Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle live in the wild?

A.It's an endemic subspecies found only on Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It belongs to the Amami Saw Stag Beetle group but doesn't occur naturally anywhere else.

Q.How do you tell it apart from other saw stag beetles?

A.It has a stockier, shorter build than the nominate Amami Saw Stag Beetle, and the gap between the first and second inner teeth on the mandibles is a key identifying feature. Body color ranges from black to dark reddish-brown.

Q.Is this species suitable for beginners?

A.It's generally considered suited to intermediate keepers rather than complete beginners. It's a good idea to learn the basics of stag beetle care before bringing one home.

Q.How long do adults live?

A.In the wild, adults typically live around 2 to 3 months. Because that time is limited, attentive daily care matters.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.Males range from about 29 to 76.2mm, and females from about 28 to 39mm. The largest wild-caught male on record reached 76.2mm.

Useful tools for Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle care

Learn more about Tokunoshima Saw Stag Beetle in the encyclopedia

More in this category