Blue Death Feigning Beetle (Asbolus Verrucosus)

This is a species native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonoran desert.  This beetle has been known to play dead when threatened.

They are increasingly becoming popular due to their ease of care, hardiness, and longevity.

The Blue Feigning Death Beetle grows around 18–21 mm (0.71–0.83 in) from head to abdomen. The powdery blue hue coloring the beetles is due to a wax secreted throughout their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture.  Males are a tad bit smaller than females.

Even though most captive beetles are wild-caught, blue death feigning beetles suit very well in captivity, being common and even popular in zoos and insectariums.  These insects are becoming increasingly popular as pets.

They require little to no additional heat or humidity, and only require dry sand as substrate as well as something to hide in. They cannot climb on smooth surfaces (plastic or glass).

No water dish is required, and they can be fed foods such as apples, carrots, dog and cat foods, etc.  Crickets or mealworms that have recently died can be given on occasion or other dead insects.  They also like good quality raw hamburger meat in small amounts and grains.

Foods the beetle likes to eat:  Raw Beef Heart, oranges, apples, dry crust with honey soaked in.

They are desert beetles, so the humidity should be kept low. In-fact, the color of the beetles is based on the relative humidity! Beetles living in a cage with higher humidity will turn a blackish color, while beetles that are kept in low humidity, are bright blue! A lower humidity means more colorful beetles. If the humidity is too high, the beetles will die.

Blue death feigning beetles do alright at room temperature, but a higher temperature will encourage breeding. Overall, they should be kept between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, (21-30 degrees Celsius) and at a relative humidity of 0-20%.