Siamese rhinoceros beetle or fighting beetle
Xylotrupes gideon
13.7708, 100.623
Field Notes
Description:
The Siamese rhinoceros beetle or fighting beetle, Xylotrupes gideon, is a species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand, but is found across much of Southeast Asia, south to Australia and east to the Solomon Islands. Males can grow to between 4–6 cm long and are dark red, dark brown, or black in coloration. When disturbed they make a hissing noise.
Habitat:
These beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand. They are captured and trained by their owners to become stronger and more aggressive.
In the fight the beetle that lifts its opponent up by its horns wins. A bug may also win if his opponent walks away, falls or is overturned.
Notes:
I found it walking near my garage so I took it inside my house, put it on the table and let it walk. Everytime I touch it, it really make the hissing noise! after I took this photo I released it. :D
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