click beetle

[oogpister]

Hi, we just found a little brown click beetle in our house(Fl), and my daughter(4) is adamant about keeping it.

Right now it is in a critter keeper with some moist bed-a-beast substrate and a "house". Will it eat anything? or best to let it go? Thanks for the advice. Jennifer

 

[カブトムシ]

Welcome! Can you post a pic to help us Identify it? I'm not an expert on click beetles, but I would offer it a washed (really good) carrot or a piece of lettuce. Set it down next to him and watch if he eats it. If you can care for it, click beetles are good pets.

 

[Peter Clausen]

On a positive note, I collected an eyed elater click beetle 3 weeks ago and unless it is eating the foliage of the juniper sprig I have in with it, it is surviving on reserves. The reason I mention this is that your beetle may be okay as you test different possible foods out on it. And now I'm off to throw some carrot in with mine!

 

[Dynastes]

Most click beetles like orange slices.

 

[oogpister]

Welcome! Can you post a pic to help us Identify it? I'm not an expert on click beetles, but I would offer it a washed (really good) carrot or a piece of lettuce. Set it down next to him and watch if he eats it. If you can care for it, click beetles are good pets.

My link

its the last photo, a little brown beetle.... that flies.

i forgot they can fly. startled me. My daughter put a matchstick carrot in with it last night.

 

[ericR]

Orin... I have never used orange slices for any beetles. Are click beetles the only beetles you feed orange too?

 

[Dynastes]

Are click beetles the only beetles you feed orange too?

Yes, I don't use fruit much. I knew someone in Texas who would catch Alaus by leaving out orange slices.

 

[Peter Clausen]

My Alaus didn't seem interested in carrot or red cabbage, but it did spend half the day (today) nibbling apple or sucking the juices anyway.