Rhinoceros Beetle Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Rhinoceros Beetle
  • Common Name: Rinoceros Beetle or Rhino Beetle
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Family: Scarabaeidae
  • Subfamily: Dynastinae

14 Rhinoceros Beetle Facts for Kids

  1. Rhinoceros beetles are scarab beetles that are members of the Dynastinae subfamily.
  2. Rhinoceros beetles are also called Hercules beetles, horn beetles, rhino beetles and unicorn beetles.
  3. Entomologists estimate there are over 300 species of beetles worldwide that are considered rhinoceros beetles.
  4. Rhinoceros beetles are famous for the large size and often unique body shapes.
  5. While all species of rhinoceros beetles look intimidating, they do not sting or bite humans.
  6. Male rhinoceros beetles are known for their fierce battles over a potential mate.
  7. Rhinoceros beetles are herbivores, adults and larva feed on different vegetation, decaying plant matter and nectar.
  8. Rhinoceros beetles are a popular pet in Asia among children. They are safe to handle, very clean, make little mess and overall very easy to maintain.
  9. The Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) is known for its very aggressive larva that will bite if touched.
  10. The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) has the longest length of any living beetle species.
  11. The Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma) is used as sport in Japan. Two of them are placed on the log, and the winner knocks the loser off the log.
  12. The eastern Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus) was featured on a United States postal stamp in October 1999.
  13. Rhinoceros beetle larva has two times more protein than chicken and beef.
  14. Some rhinoceros beetles can make a loud hissing noise when disturbed. They produce this hissing noise by rubbing their wings covers against their abdomens.

Additional Resources with Rhinoceros Beetle Facts

  • The Rhinoceros Beetle – Find more rhinoceros beetle fun facts on the Wildlife Trusts website.
  • Rhinoceros Beetles – Read this excellent article on the National Wildlife Foundation website about rhinoceros beetle.
  • Dynastinae – Wikipedia – Learn about the Dynastinae subfamily, which contains the 300+ species of rhinoceros beetles.

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