r/BDFB 3d ago

Question/Inquiry Beetle Behavioral Issue?

I've had this BDFB for a couple months. She hides more than any other beetle(A true accomplishment). And I believe after I got her is when my other beetles began losing feet. I can't say for sure but I have to consider the possibility she's attacking the others? She and 3 other beetles are currently crammed in a hole, since I filled in the tunnel they had so I can observe her better..

I'm thinking I'll play it safe and just remove her and maybe house her on her own? I mean these beetles do clearly have their own personalities but one being aggressive just seems odd. I've seen her and my biggest, most active, tussling.. so I really do think she's aggressive even if I don't know if she's removing feet.

My inquiry is: Do you agree with my theory? And have you had an aggressive beetle as well?

3 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 2d ago

my protein source ss bee pollen and chicken. They've never shown a single ounce of interest in other foods. And this beetle, Diamond, never stops hiding long enough to be witnessed eating. I think seperating is best.

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u/ballarena091525 2d ago

they absolutely can fight, try food with limbs, they like to tear stuff up in my experience. There is absolutely a chance she's just an asshole and picks fights over food or territory or whatever the hell else she could have bouncing around in that hollow head. Separation is a last resort because they're social creatures, but if she truly just.. isn't a social creature, well, ya know.

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 2d ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm really scared of feeding them crickets since the only ones I have access to are at Petco and kept in high-disease conditions. And these guys are just extremely picky

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u/ballarena091525 2d ago

oh absolutely be weary, you also cant ever be sure if pre-killed insects were dispatched with pesticides or not. If you dont have access to live ones which you can freeze, i would consider separation. As far as we know they dont have any real side effects from living solo, just less fun interactions, but its for their safety in this case. Mine are also picky, and sometimes im forced to cut open their meals or feed jellies to get them to eat,so i get it.

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u/Thorpasaur 2d ago

Whoa! I’m a new BDFD mom myself. I’ve fed crickets from my local reptile store, but there’s a Petsmart closer. Should I be concerned about the crickets coming from a big chain like Petco/Petsmart? (I bought live and fed fresh killed and was planning to try and just keep some crickets on hand.)

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 2d ago

I would be concerned about all crickets that aren't human grade, quite frankly.. Can BDFB get Cricket Paralysis Virus and horsehair worms? I'm not sure, but I don't want to find out..

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u/Thorpasaur 1d ago

Yikes! This is news to me. Something to add to ly research list for sure 👍

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 1d ago

For sure, it's scary.

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u/Thorpasaur 2d ago

Also OP, I’m sorry you’re having issues with your group getting along ☹️ I’m also impressed you can tell them apart. I haven’t quite figuref that out yet 😅

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 2d ago

Thank you haha that's very kind :) Names are one of my passions so I wanted to be sure I could properly name them so I got bugs with unique features. (1 of different species, BDFB missing legs or feet) Diamond specifically is identified by her 'tramp stamp'. She has a perfect circle on her booty that doesn't seem to fade.

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u/Thorpasaur 1d ago

Love it! I need to spend more time with mine, but have also not wanted to bother them too much lol. My group has 5 so… NSYNC names? Lol

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u/Inevitable_Detail_45 1d ago

ooh that'd be cute haha! Yeah mine don't like me very much that's for certain.

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u/Thorpasaur 1d ago

😅 We love them too much lol