Indian Stag Beetle vs Five-Horned Rhinoceros Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Stag Beetle Five-Horned Rhinoceros Beetle
Scientific Name Lucanus lunifer Eupatorus gracilicornis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lucanidae Dynastidae
Size 40-75 mm (males including mandibles) 50-80 mm
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Himalayan region) Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Indian Stag Beetle

A large, dark brown stag beetle with impressive curved mandibles in males that resemble deer antlers. It is found in montane forests of the Himalayas and is attracted to fermenting tree sap.

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Did You Know?

Males use their enlarged mandibles in ritualized combat, attempting to flip rivals off tree branches to win access to sap flows and mates.

Five-Horned Rhinoceros Beetle

A striking rhinoceros beetle with four thoracic horns and one cephalic horn. Its velvety black and golden-brown coloring makes it unmistakable.

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Did You Know?

Despite having five horns, only the single head horn is used in combat with rival males.