I have received many PMs after posting of my Rhinoceros Beetle safari in Saeed's spiderweb antelope thread.

I was astonished at the negative tone of the messages. Seems that no one believed me.

Well, here is the photographic evidence, just to obviate any doubt.

He challenged ME. He had been following us for several minutes.

We could hear his clickety-clacking in the thick bush behind us.

I became fed up, and turned and called him out on his own terms.

He squared off to pounce, and moved in for the takedown!



As he licked his exoskeletal lips for the fatal blow, I made my lighting fast escape.

I pinned him and let him go in the second period.

I would post photos of that, but I don't want to be condemned on social media.

I'd say you were lucky to have gotten' away with your life.

More'n likely you would have made a fatal error wasting time trying to decide on Black Flag or a 450 NE 3 1/4. Indecision can be deadly in combat.

Good show!

Nice. There is a species in the States. I kept several as pets as a kid.

When I was in the US Army back in the 1970’s, I was stationed TDY for two weeks at Camp AP Hill, VA. We slept outside in tents and there were lots of creepy crawlies around. I captured a Rhinoceros Beetle about the same size as pictured here and fashioned a little harness and leash for him. I kept him tethered to my bunk but released him when my TDY was done.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Nice. There is a species in the States. I kept several as pets as a kid.

I understand in Japan they love beetles so much they have vending machines for them!!

We get them in our horse barn in OK from time to time. I have several specimens preserved.

How terrifying! What rifles and bullets would you recommend?

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
How terrifying! What rifles and bullets would you recommend?

Now we know why Mark Sullivan retired!

That's the coolest picture I've seen in a long time. Thank you for posting it!!

What do Yoko Ono and a garter snake have in common? They both love dead Beatles

They (a variant species) are a big pest in coconut groves. They bore into the base of the very young fronds and cut then off.