Death Feigning Beetle substrate?

[sus]

looking at all the beetles in the hobby I have glossed over the possibility of owning a very easy to obtain and (from what it seems) easy to maintain beetle... and i would like to try to own some maybe! I have a nice reptile tank and some decor but I would like to actually try making a substrate for these beetles first

I am wondering why they need this substrate and why specific mixtures make them feel more at home and how this effects their health as well as what one needs to make it. I have seen a lot of people say they just use zoo med coco fiber but others have said buying from commercial pet stores isn't very trustworthy.SOOO, let me know what your process is for having proper substrate for these guys.

 

[Bugboy3092]

I usually just use the commercial walnut husk shaving bedding mixed with a little wood and leaf debris, this seems to work and I’ve had them laying eggs in it many times.

 

[sus]

I usually just use the commercial walnut husk shaving bedding mixed with a little wood and leaf debris, this seems to work and I’ve had them laying eggs in it many times.

Oh wow! that sounds promising.. why specifically the wood and leaf debri and what kind? just any wood and leaf?

 

[Bugboy3092]

Rotten oak wood and rotten oak leaf material (basically just grub substrate) it seems to help convince the female to lay eggs, it also feeds any larvae that hatch. Dont mix in too much, just a little spread out through the sand/walnut husk (I wouldnt recommend keeping them on coco fiber, it stores too much moisture and is more likely to grow mold) I would also keep them under a heat lamp, you dont have to, but I think it encourages breeding.

 

[sus]

Rotten oak wood and rotten oak leaf material (basically just grub substrate) it seems to help convince the female to lay eggs, it also feeds any larvae that hatch. Dont mix in too much, just a little spread out through the sand/walnut husk (I wouldnt recommend keeping them on coco fiber, it stores too much moisture and is more likely to grow mold) I would also keep them under a heat lamp, you dont have to, but I think it encourages breeding.

hmm well I am not tooo interested in having them lay eggs! But thank you ill look into these supplies

 

[Bugboy3092]

Ohh, well if you dont want them breeding pure sand is fine

 

[Hisserdude]

Actually pure sand works for Asbolus oviposition, just be sure to offer a moist area and maybe a bit of leaf litter to maximize oviposition odds. It's worth noting however that the larvae have a poor surivival rate and should probably be kept separately...