Ventral view of a rhinoceros beetle showing one of the eyes, antennae, and mouthparts near the base of the center horn. It 's been shown that the larger beetles in this family can lift 850 times their own weight. That's the same as a 180 pound man lifting 76 tons (that's equal to over fifty, 3,000 pound cars)! Despite the frightening appearance, this beetle can't hurt a human. The horns are used for rooting around in leaf litter and soil when looking for food or a place to escape. Some males use the horns to "fight" other males for territory or a chance to mate. About all they can do is flip the other guy over. Some of these beetles are 6 inches long.

ColeopteraScarabaeidaeChalcosoma atlasatlas beetleventralanteriorSmugMug collection