Dorcus Titanus Titanus Sumatra
Among the large flat stag beetles, the Palawan flat stag beetle and Sumatran flat stag beetle are particularly popular. When comparing the two, the Palawan variety is more elongated, while the Sumatran variety has greater width and a generally more robust build. The Sumatran flat stag beetle inhabits Sumatra Island in Indonesia, which is larger than Japan and is the sixth-largest island in the world. The body length of the Sumatran flat stag beetle ranges from 40mm to 100mm for males and 30mm to 50mm for females. Some males even exceed 10 cm in length. The position of the inner teeth of the mandibles varies slightly depending on the region they are collected from. These beetles are reasonably priced, and many wild specimens are imported.
Famous locations for these beetles include Aceh and Bengkulu. The lifespan of an adult beetle is around two years, and they are resistant to cold, surviving winter as long as temperatures do not drop below 7°C. They remain active year-round at temperatures above 18°C. In their native habitat, they are typically found at relatively high altitudes, so care should be taken to avoid high heat and humidity during summer.
Due to the aggressive nature of some individuals, hand-pairing is recommended for pairing. If housed together, there is a high risk that the male might kill the female by clamping her. It is better to house the male and female separately. The ideal temperature for the breeding setup is around 23°C to 25°C. Use well-fermented substrate to bury soft oviposition wood. The Sumatran flat stag beetle lays eggs in both wood and substrate, making it relatively easy to breed if pairing is successful and the temperature is appropriate.
The larvae grow significantly whether raised in fermented substrate or mushroom-based culture. If a particular mushroom culture bottle does not suit them, it should be replaced promptly. The larvae of the Sumatran flat stag beetle can easily reach over 40 grams, making them quite impressive. Compared to other large flat stag beetles, the Sumatran variety stands out for its considerable body length and width, giving it a strikingly powerful appearance.
