Coconut Beetle (Xylotrupes gideon)

The coconut beetle (Xylotrupes gideon) is one of the largest species of beetle in the world and is also a nocturnal animal or an active animal at night. Proportionally, the coconut beetle (Xylotrupes gideon) is a very strong animal, this beetle can lift up to 850 times their own body weight.

Physically, the coconut beetle has a length of 4 cm to 11.5 cm. This beetle has many subspecies according to its spreading area. Xylotrupes gideon borneensis from Borneo, X. gideon siamensis from Thailand, X. pubescens from the Philippines, X. gideon gideon from Malaysia, and X. ulysses from Australia. With a lifespan of up to 8 months for a male beetle and 2 years for a female beetle.

This beetle is very unique that only the male beetle has a horn and the female beetle does not have it. The size of the horn is an indicator of the physical health of the male beetle.

Male horn beetles use their horns in battles over food and territory to attract the attention of females. Horns can also be used to dig up the soil and bury themselves in the ground, hiding from harm. The horn beetle has wings and can be used for flying.

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