Post by bugoodle on Mar 30, 2020 20:59:26 GMT -8
My American carrion beetle, who I've owned for almost 10 months(she laid eggs, so yes I was wrong about gender), has been losing her tarsi/feet. Despite her age and condition, she is still active and eats(not as much though). But, I recently noticed, that her tarsi are gone! She only has the tarsi on her front legs. She cannot climb and this must explain why she is always falling on her back(she can actually get back up, I've been wondering if I just leave her alone when she falls over).
But why do beetles lose their tarsi? I use to own a grapevine beetle and I remembered after owning him for a couple of months, his front tarsi suddenly went missing. I didn't find them in his enclosure either. Will beetles eat their tarsi? Like a stress disorder?
I rarely ever handle my insects, and when I do I either carefully scoop them in a bathroom cup or use a pipe cleaner to "herd" them into the palm of my hand. I also use the pipe cleaner to flip Bugoodle over. I try to be as gentle as possible.
I use coconut fiber as a substrate. Is there something better I could use? Like something that she's less likely to fall over on/easy to get back on her back?
I've always wanted to know why beetles suddenly lose their tarsi. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!
But why do beetles lose their tarsi? I use to own a grapevine beetle and I remembered after owning him for a couple of months, his front tarsi suddenly went missing. I didn't find them in his enclosure either. Will beetles eat their tarsi? Like a stress disorder?
I rarely ever handle my insects, and when I do I either carefully scoop them in a bathroom cup or use a pipe cleaner to "herd" them into the palm of my hand. I also use the pipe cleaner to flip Bugoodle over. I try to be as gentle as possible.
I use coconut fiber as a substrate. Is there something better I could use? Like something that she's less likely to fall over on/easy to get back on her back?
I've always wanted to know why beetles suddenly lose their tarsi. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!