How does this look for a Blue Death Feigning Beetle enclosure?

[Nadezhda]

My kids turn the light on around 7am and I shut it off around 5pm.

Interesting, turtle food! I just gave mine some beta splenda food pellets, that seemed well received. We have 4 betas and a comet goldfish. Fish food is plentiful at our house lol.

I love betas! I didn't know you could feed them (the beetles, I mean) fish food, that's cool. I think they'll eat almost anything. I gave them a big serving of food but I regret it a little because it's just sitting there and it'll take them a while to eat even a pellet of the turtle food!

 

[Praxibetelix]

I definitely have too much the first couple times we fed them. Fortunately, they don't mind if you remove the leftovers.

I removed the orange pieces in the morning (do not want fruit gnats), and I switch out the dry food when it looks unappetizing lol. it's been so fun really.

Hope you love them! We might be ordering more in a couple weeks!

 

[Tenevanica]

Thank you for the informative reply! Should I just keep the light on at all times?

No, turn the light off at night, and on in the morning. Simulate a day-night cycle.

 

[Nadezhda]

No, turn the light off at night, and on in the morning. Simulate a day-night cycle.

Okay, thank you! Sorry I misunderstood!

 

[Praxibetelix]

How are the beetles doing?

 

[Nadezhda]

How are the beetles doing?

Sorry for the late reply; they're doing well!
I was watering the plants and accidentally squirted two of the beetles who were hiding underneath and they turned black. Oops! They're doing just fine though, and the blue is slowly coming back.
They've adjusted well to their new home and found all the perfect places to burrow. They're surprisingly bold already, I only take them out to show guests or my younger siblings.
I taught my little sister not to be afraid of bugs with them, which was nice! Maybe she'll start finding them fascinating too.

 

[Praxibetelix]

Excellent! I find that mine also hang out under the plants we put in. They are so fun, I hope you keep enjoying them.

 

[Dave Jay]

I read a few articles about them a few weeks ago, the colour varies according to moisture/humidity. If I remember correctly, the drier it is the more vivid the blue becomes because the blue waxy coating is their way of slowing water loss. Don't take my word for it, I just read a few online articles one night, but if you're interested you could find out.
Great set-up btw.

 

[Dovey]

Yes, I've disinfected the bones! Thank you for the info about the mites! I'll get them some bark, it will look better than the teacup.
I'm getting four beetles. I have the light on my desk, but not much else. Do I need to get them special lighting or is my desk lamp okay? The desk lamp lighting is what's used in the pictures, if that helps any. I'm using the desert substrate from bugsincyberspace.



I cut open the one of the leaves of each of the succulents and the sap is a clear greenish color, so I think I'll be alright! Thank you for that tip, I didn't know that.
Yeah, now that mites aren't a concern I'm gonna go out and get them a piece of bark!

No no I love the teacup! I know this thread was a while ago, but don't lose the teacup! I absolutely adore anthro-artifacts. Found artifacts are the best. My pet rats love to take naps in a little teapot I hung in their cage. The porcelain stays cool when the house is warm. And everyone thinks it's adorable.

Keep the teacup! In fact, you've inspired me. I'm going to be setting up a bark scorpion and blue death feigning beetle habitat in the next few days, and a teacup is an absolute must now! Maybe for room, I will compromise and go for an espresso or consomme cup.