Snapping Termite vs African Stag Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snapping Termite African Stag Beetle
Scientific Name Termes hospes Prosopocoilus savagei
Order Blattodea Coleoptera
Family Termitidae Lucanidae
Size 4-6 mm 35-65 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Root Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snapping Termite

An African soil-feeding termite common in forest and savanna soils. Soldiers possess powerful snapping mandibles that can inflict painful bites. Colonies are subterranean and contribute significantly to soil processing.

💡

Did You Know?

The snapping mandibles of soldiers work like loaded springs, storing elastic energy that is released in a rapid strike capable of killing ant attackers.

African Stag Beetle

A dark reddish-brown stag beetle with impressive mandibles in males. It inhabits forests where larvae develop in rotting wood.

💡

Did You Know?

Males lock mandibles and wrestle each other off branches to compete for mating rights.