The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 cm
Diet
Adults: high-protein jelly, banana; larvae eat flake soil · Adults: jelly every 1-2 days; larvae: change substrate every 1-2 mo
Temperature
22-26C (keep larvae cool)
Humidity
60-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Coleoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Popular large rhino in SEA hobby
Adult size
Male 60-130mm+ (a giant); female 25-60mm
Lifespan
Larva ~12-18 mo (L1-L3); adult ~2-4 mo
Growth rate
Slow (long larval stage)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal; adults on sap/fruit; larvae in rotten wood
Temperament
Males extremely aggressive; larvae cannibalistic
Venom / defense
Harmless to people - no venom; three horns for male combat
Price (THB)
indicative ~300-1,000 (larvae/adults)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
22-26C (keep larvae cool)
Humidity
60-80%
Min. enclosure
Larvae REARED INDIVIDUALLY: L3 in 8-12L, 25-35cm flake soil; adults 30x30cm+
Substrate
Larvae: fermented flake soil; adults: coco/soil + bark
Hides / decor / water
Bark, branches, leaf litter; mist lightly
Diet
Staple food
Adults: high-protein jelly, banana; larvae eat flake soil
Feeding frequency
Adults: jelly every 1-2 days; larvae: change substrate every 1-2 mo
Supplements
Protein-rich flake soil/jelly for size
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Gently; larvae disturb minimally
Communal
Males apart; larvae strictly separate (cannibalism)
Defense / stress signs
Hissing, horn thrusts; larvae bite
Reproduction
Reproduction
Eggs -> L1-L3 (very large L3) -> pupa in cell -> adult; longest cycle of the genus
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsHeat death of larvae, failed pupation, dehydration, mites
Red flags / quarantine
SignsNeeds cool rearing; do not release; check import rules
Good to know
- One of the largest beetles in Asia; males can top 13cm with their sweeping horns
Others in this group
Japanese rhinoceros beetleTrypoxylus dichotomus (formerly Allomyrina)Atlas beetleChalcosoma atlasSiamese rhinoceros / fighting beetleXylotrupes gideon (TH pops. often X. socrates)Giant stag beetleDorcus titanus (syn. Serrognathus titanus)Sun beetle (fruit beetle)Pachnoda marginata (peregrina)Hercules beetleDynastes herculesGiant flower beetleMecynorhina torquataGiraffe stag beetleProsopocoilus giraffa