Dynastes Hercules Adult Enclosures

[jai.]

So I'm looking to get into the hobby and I've been doing a lot of research, but a majority of my findings are for rearing and other parts of husbandry such as substrate and diet. I'm looking namely for advice on enclosure size, what's popular for adult males/females, and maybe even some safe plants that could go in with them for a bioactive setup? I'm also curious on preference of heating: since I live in an area that can get fairly cold in the winter, I was thinking of doing a low wattage ceramic heat emitter. TIA!

 

[Ayudrs]

Hmmmm.... for space, I think beetles don't necessarily need lot's of space. So for Dynastes hercules. Something like 10w×10L×8H in. Would be enough to house an adult male. Some chucks or bark or logs or sticks will be good for them to climb on and flip themselves back over with. Substrate like Aspin or Coco fibre is good to cover the floor with. And perhaps a place to burrow or hide. Beetles look more comfortable if they have a place to hide in my observations.

I don't really know about keeping beetles in bioactive setups.

Had to look up what a ceramic heater was, so this is just a guess, but looks alright to use. Just make sure the beetle can't get close to it. But Hercules beetles should be fine in 65° - 80° F.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[jai.]

it does, thank you! i was thinking of a ceramic heat emitter in a cage (as you'd see for reptiles) so i think that should be okay? or using a mesh lid on a glass tank to keep it elevated.

 

[Ayudrs]

it does, thank you! i was thinking of a ceramic heat emitter in a cage (as you'd see for reptiles) so i think that should be okay? or using a mesh lid on a glass tank to keep it elevated.

Np!

For the heat emitter cage, definitely want to keep it out of reach. Hercules beetles seem to get their horns stuck into holes and can snap off the ends. It doesn't really seem to harm them, but it doesn't look too good.

Your idea about suspending the heater could work. Just need to make sure the enclosure does not dry up, these beetles prefer higher humidity, around 50-60% should be good.

 

[Kuwakabuinverts]

it does, thank you! i was thinking of a ceramic heat emitter in a cage (as you'd see for reptiles) so i think that should be okay? or using a mesh lid on a glass tank to keep it elevated.

you wouldnt need a heater beetles usually prefer a lower temperature in general unless if the temps in your area is really low lol