Mammoth Cave Beetle vs Ox Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mammoth Cave Beetle Ox Beetle
Scientific Name Xenotrechus condei Strategus aloeus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Scarabaeidae
Size 5-7 mm 30-60mm
Habitat Caves Farmland
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions United States North America, South America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Mammoth Cave Beetle

A rare troglobitic ground beetle known from caves in the Ozark region of Missouri. It is eyeless with greatly elongated appendages.

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Did You Know?

It was not discovered until 1987, despite extensive surveys of Missouri caves.

Ox Beetle

A large robust dark brown beetle with three forward-pointing horns on the males pronotum. It is attracted to lights in tropical areas.

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Did You Know?

Males use their three horns like a trident to pry rivals from burrows during fights over females.