The elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas) is a member of the family Scarabaeidae and the subfamily Dynastinae. They are Neotropical rhinoceros beetles.
Elephant beetles are black in color and covered with a coat of fine microscopic hairs. The hairs grow particularly thick on the beetle's elytra. The hairs give the beetle's body a yellowish color. Males have two horns protruding from the head and another from the prothorax. The longest head horn gives the beetle its common name, since it resembles an elephant’s trunk. Females have no horns. The horns are used for defense, and in competition among males for food and mates.
In size, elephant beetles typically range between 7 and 12 cm (2.75–4.75 in), with the largest male specimen known measuring 13.7 cm, including the horn.
Latin Name:
Megasomas elephas
Distribution:
Central & South America
Frame Size:
8 x 12 inch Deep
Please Be Aware:
The specimen that you will receive may differ in size, shape or colour very slightly since you are purchasing a natural product.
Where do we source our insect specimens?
All of our specimens are purchased from conservation farming projects. Please visit our ethics pages in the menu for details on the type of projects we work with.