To start, I have never kept beetles for any length of time other than just a day or two to observe wild caught and put them back where I found them.
I rescued a male and female from the wild (did not breed them) early July. They appeared to have battled a larger critter such as a bird or possum. Female missing lower end of a few legs and some noticeable scratches on the elytra, male had a small piece of lower horn broken off, scratches in the elytra as well, and missing a front lower leg segment.
They were found a few days apart wandering around outside on concrete at work in the middle of 90 degree heat, very lethargic and weak. I gave them each a small sip of red bull and took them home, made separate terrariums and have been feeding miscellaneous fruits - they seemed to like old rotting watermelon the best.
Until about a month ago they would eat half an apple (or equivalent) each in several days, very active at night, burrowing constantly and just being beetles. Lately they have been slowing down dramatically, the male stopped eating solids altogether a few days ago and passed yesterday. I was able to keep him "comfortable?" with some honey water (it's the only thing he would eat). I've been keeping the female going the same, but I don't think she'll make it through the night.
For the past week they have been getting stuck upside down without the coordination or energy to flip themselves over.
Some observations I have questions about.
I'm off work this weekend so better able to keep a really close eye on her condition.
Very uncoordinated and more clumsy than normal.
Appears to be having something like strokes or seizures - one leg will extend fully, stay for a while, and then twitch, until eventually becoming used again.
This is mainly the middle 2 legs, but I've seen it on the back right once.
At random the lower leg segments become "limp" like she can't use them, and the claws at the end limp as well.
She'll attempt to walk around a bit and then lay down in a prone position mostly, but today I noticed she attempts to curl up in the fetal position.
I understand they were nearly dead when I found them and appear to have had a good run since then. Does this appear to be the normal dying process?
I've never kept beetles before so I'm not sure what I'm looking for.
Also, anyone else get really attached to theirs? I wasn't expecting to but legitimately cried when my male died, I was not mentally prepared for that.
I didn't expect them to have so much personality and charisma, I feel the same as if I've lost a cat or a dog.
Thank you for your time, any input is greatly valued.
I rescued a male and female from the wild (did not breed them) early July. They appeared to have battled a larger critter such as a bird or possum. Female missing lower end of a few legs and some noticeable scratches on the elytra, male had a small piece of lower horn broken off, scratches in the elytra as well, and missing a front lower leg segment.
They were found a few days apart wandering around outside on concrete at work in the middle of 90 degree heat, very lethargic and weak. I gave them each a small sip of red bull and took them home, made separate terrariums and have been feeding miscellaneous fruits - they seemed to like old rotting watermelon the best.
Until about a month ago they would eat half an apple (or equivalent) each in several days, very active at night, burrowing constantly and just being beetles. Lately they have been slowing down dramatically, the male stopped eating solids altogether a few days ago and passed yesterday. I was able to keep him "comfortable?" with some honey water (it's the only thing he would eat). I've been keeping the female going the same, but I don't think she'll make it through the night.
For the past week they have been getting stuck upside down without the coordination or energy to flip themselves over.
Some observations I have questions about.
I'm off work this weekend so better able to keep a really close eye on her condition.
Very uncoordinated and more clumsy than normal.
Appears to be having something like strokes or seizures - one leg will extend fully, stay for a while, and then twitch, until eventually becoming used again.
This is mainly the middle 2 legs, but I've seen it on the back right once.
At random the lower leg segments become "limp" like she can't use them, and the claws at the end limp as well.
She'll attempt to walk around a bit and then lay down in a prone position mostly, but today I noticed she attempts to curl up in the fetal position.
I understand they were nearly dead when I found them and appear to have had a good run since then. Does this appear to be the normal dying process?
I've never kept beetles before so I'm not sure what I'm looking for.
Also, anyone else get really attached to theirs? I wasn't expecting to but legitimately cried when my male died, I was not mentally prepared for that.
I didn't expect them to have so much personality and charisma, I feel the same as if I've lost a cat or a dog.
Thank you for your time, any input is greatly valued.
