Stag beetle

[The wolf]

I am very interested in keeping some stag beetles but i am pretty much clueless I can't seem to find much info on the internet.i have quite a lot of experience keeping native beetles (wireworms,cardinal beetles,devils coach horse,poecilius cuprens,and pterostichus sp)
At various different stages but as far as stag beetles are concerned I have no experience I got a kit for Christmas with adult beetle substrate,adult beetle food an egg laying log and leaf litter
But I still have a few questions
What beetle should a beginner like me start with
Would this kit also be suitable for rhino beetles
Should I start by breeding two,separating the two and then raising the young or just buying grubs and raising them

 

[Ratmosphere]

Stag beetles aren’t really good for beginners, they’re more advanced. It also depends on the species. For example, rainbow stag beetles were super easy for me to breed. In the breeding container, add 1-2 inches of substrate. Make sure before adding the breeding log you soak it in water for a few hours. After this you can add the breeding log. Then, fill and compact the substrate down until you reach the top of the container. Make sure it isn’t too tight though. At the top you can add a layer of leaves and a few beetle jellies.

If the female lays eggs in the log you can break the log and separate them. Put the separated larvae in tubs with a good substrate. It’s hard to raise major males on basic substrate and different countries sell really good mixtures. The problem is that it is technically illegal to import it into the states.

If you just plant to keep the adults and not breed them, house them in 100% moist sphagnum moss with a few beetle jellies on top. Spray the enclosure well whenever it gets dry.

Depending on how old the species of the beetles you get they may be in hibernation. They will not come up from the moss and be under it a few months. When they are active they will be roaming around the enclosure and start to breed.

 

[The wolf]

Stag beetles aren’t really good for beginners, they’re more advanced. It also depends on the species. For example, rainbow stag beetles were super easy for me to breed. In the breeding container, add 1-2 inches of substrate. Make sure before adding the breeding log you soak it in water for a few hours. After this you can add the breeding log. Then, fill and compact the substrate down until you reach the top of the container. Make sure it isn’t too tight though. At the top you can add a layer of leaves and a few beetle jellies.

If the female lays eggs in the log you can break the log and separate them. Put the separated larvae in tubs with a good substrate. It’s hard to raise major males on basic substrate and different countries sell really good mixtures. The problem is that it is technically illegal to import it into the states.

If you just plant to keep the adults and not breed them, house them in 100% moist sphagnum moss with a few beetle jellies on top. Spray the enclosure well whenever it gets dry.

Depending on how old the species of the beetles you get they may be in hibernation. They will not come up from the moss and be under it a few months. When they are active they will be roaming around the enclosure and start to breed.

Thanks so much for the reply so you say they're not for beginners so Would rhino beetles or flower beetles be easier to keep or not
Also I'm in the uk so is good substrate still illegal to import or is it ok here if so where would I get it from
Also what kind of things make them advanced?

 

[Ratmosphere]

I'm pretty sure in U.K. its fine to import any species of beetle/supplies you want but I am not sure. Try reading up on the laws there. Titan Monster Beetle Shop has a lot of good supplies and species. For us in the states, beginners usually start with Dynastes tityus but I doubt they are common where you live. The most easy species of rhino beetle I ever bred was Dynastes hercules hercules. I even have personal records of having a female lay eggs in just 2" of substrate. They are easy to breed but pretty pricey.

If you start with stags do the procedure I mentioned above. I recommend getting Phalacrognathus muelleri, pretty common and easier to breed. They also are beautiful when adults. I have a source of someone who has them at an affordable price but they're not in the U.S. Message me and I'll give you their name but first find out if it's legal to import them there.