{"id":79,"date":"2025-06-06T14:56:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T14:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/?page_id=79"},"modified":"2025-06-06T20:14:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T20:14:54","slug":"care-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/care-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Care Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Whether you\u2019re a first-time keeper or a seasoned hobbyist, this page covers everything you need to provide a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment for your beetle imago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Here you can download a pdf of our caresheet checklist that summarises the page<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Beetle-Caresheet.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download>Download<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"881\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-881x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-881x1024.jpg 881w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-768x893.jpg 768w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-1321x1536.jpg 1321w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-1762x2048.jpg 1762w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG2_vertical-1568x1823.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Enclosures should be at least twice the length of the beetle in all three dimensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Because beetles can fly, always use a secure lid to prevent escapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">A properly sized, closed enclosure ensures your beetle feels safe and cannot crawl or fly out.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Sawdust, wood shavings, or tissue make excellent substrate choices for your beetle. Add pieces of grip wood or twigs so that if the beetle flips onto its back, it can reorient itself easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"746\" src=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-1024x746.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-1024x746.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-1536x1119.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3-1568x1142.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IG3.jpg 1730w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Including a bit of sphagnum moss will help maintain humidity within the enclosure, keeping conditions comfortable for your beetle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 55%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Beetles are naturally solitary creatures. You may introduce a female to a male when you intend to breed\u2014be aware, however, that mating will shorten the male\u2019s overall lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Males should always be kept individually, as this can lead to stress or aggression.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IGpage4_2-1568x1568.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-125 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jelly-pots-1568x1568.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Adult beetles primarily consume tree sap, nectar, and soft fruits like apples and bananas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Plan to feed your beetle every 3\u20135 days. Reptile fruit jellies also work well as a convenient alternative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Avoid giving any citrus fruits (e.g., orange or lemon), since the acids can harm your beetle\u2019s digestive system.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Make small holes in the enclosure lid to allow fresh air circulation without risking escapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Because beetles excrete in liquid form, clean the lid and replace the substrate regularly to prevent mold and bacteria buildup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Finally, avoid placing the enclosure in direct sunlight, as this can cause the habitat to overheat and dry out.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"973\" src=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-1024x973.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-126 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-1024x973.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-300x285.jpg 300w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-768x730.jpg 768w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-1536x1460.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-2048x1946.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/the-sun-2-1568x1490.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re a first-time keeper or a seasoned hobbyist, this page covers everything you need to provide a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment for your beetle imago. Here you can download a pdf of our caresheet checklist that summarises the page Enclosures should be at least twice the length of the beetle in all three&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/care-guide\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Care Guide<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-79","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153,"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79\/revisions\/153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beetleimago.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}