Where do Rhino Beetles Live?

Rhinoceros beetles can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica. Their natural habitat is woodlands and forests, as they are herbivores and feed on foliage and the nectar of plants found there. The larva eat rotting wood so the adult female rhinoceros beetles often lay eggs in and on fallen, rotting trees.

Rhino beetles prefer warm to hot temperatures with moderate to high humidity. They are most prevalent in tropical zones but can also be found in temperate areas as well. These beetles are nocturnal and hide under fallen leaves and logs in the woods during the daytime.

In the United States, the insects can be found coast-to-coast from California to Virginia but are most prevalent in southern states. Rhino beetles are a significant part of the culture in Eastern and Southeastern Asia, where they are sometimes kept by people as pets and used in prize-fighting matches.

The male beetles use their giant horns as a sort of pickax to quickly dig through the moist topsoil of the forest and make a quick getaway from would-be predators, although because of their huge size they have few.