Range

In Australia this species can be found in New South Wales and Queensland. They are also found in New Guinea.

Habitat

Naturally these animals are found in rainforests. As humans have expanded their range these animals have adapted to live near people and can often be sighted near bright lights in car parks or at petrol stations.

Reproduction

The males horns are used to show off to females to attract a mate and in fights with other males to help gain breeding rights.

Females deposit up to 50 eggs which are colored white in to a piece of rotting wood. After three weeks they will hatch and they have a food source provided for them.

They live in the wood as a larvae for up to two years feeding on this food. They will then pupate by forming a cell in the soil from their own fecal matter which serves to waterproof the cell. After a month they emerge as an adult.

Larvae are colored a creamy white with a black facial patch.

An adult rhinoceros beetle will not grow with all of their growth completed in the larval form.

As adults they only live for between 2 and 4 months providing them time to mate and lay eggs.

Behavior

These beetles are capable of flight with the wings hidden under the hard back covering known as the elytra when not in use.

When disturbed they make a hissing noise. This is created by rubbing the wing covers against their abdomen. Often this noise has been likened to Darth Vader.

Most of their time is spent underground though they will emerge at night to feed.

Predators and Threats

These animals face predation from birds.

They may benefit from the presence of humans as they provide compost bins which are full of their food.

Quick facts

This species may also be referred to as the Australian elephant beetle or the coconut palm beetle.

Xylotrupes ulysses is one of the 200 species of rhinoceros beetle recorded in Australia. Most of these are small than this species with only two approaching them in size. Overall beetles are the most common group of insects.