10 Beetles Bigger Than the Handle of Your Garden Shovel

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You don’t need to be a gardener to know that a garden shovel is no dainty tool. But what if you were to come across a beetle that could outsize your handle on your shovel? To those unacquainted with the wonders of the insect world, there are beetles out there that can match up to the size of your favorite gardening implement.

If you’re an insect enthusiast or you just prefer your creepy crawlers from a safe distance, these beetles will work to pique your curiosity — and maybe give you a shiver or two.

Goliath Beetle

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The Goliath beetle lives up to its name and can grow to a length of up to 4.3 inches and is among the heftiest of insects in the animal kingdom. This beetle, found in African tropical forests, is not only about size, it’s also about weight. Adult males can top 3.5 ounces. Goliath beetles could lift objects more than 850 times their own weight, according to the Museum of Zoology. That’s one beetle that has been hitting the gym!

Hercules Beetle

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Hercules beetle is a legend. Females tend to measure around 5 inches, while their males can stretch their total body length to over 7 inches. They are not just huge but quite intimidating, as males sport horns over their eyes. This beetle lives in Central and South America, and uses its horn to wrestle other males in mating fights. Tiny WWE matches in the rainforest? Imagine that.

Titan Beetle

If you are wandering around the Amazon rainforest and see what looks like a flying stick, then congratulations, you have just encountered a Titan beetle. They are able to grow up to 6.6 inches long. If you’re not careful, their mandibles are strong enough to snap small sticks and even human fingers. This is not a beetle you’d want to meet on a dark forest trail.

Elephant Beetle

True to its name, the elephant beetle is a big, bulky bug with a horn that looks like an elephant’s trunk. They are found in the rainforests of Central and South America, and can grow to 5 inches. Fun fact: While they may look frightening, they’re actually herbivores, and spend most of their life munching on rotting wood and fruit.

The Longhorn Beetle (Titanus giganteus)

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This longhorn species is often confused with the Titan beetle, but its antennae can be longer than its body and distinguish it. It can reach up to 6 inches on its own. These beetles are notoriously difficult to see; entomologists must work hard to find them in the dense Amazon underbrush.

Atlas Beetle

The Atlas beetle is native to Southeast Asia and known for its size and ferocity. Growing to nearly 5 inches, males are well known for their aggressive behavior during battle. Interestingly, their larvae are as pretty as they come, taking up to three years to become an adult.

Giant Weta Beetle

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The giant weta from New Zealand technically isn’t a beetle at all, but it deserves an honorary mention. They grow longer than 4 inches and can weigh as much as a small bird. They’re a living reminder that when you give insects free rein to adapt to an island, this is what you get.

Stag Beetle

This large beetle has very large mandibles that make it look like stag antlers. Hercules beetles are rivals with similar jaws, but stag beetles can get up to 4 inches long. They are in Europe, but unfortunately their population is declining due to loss of habitat.

Macrodontia Cervicornis

The name of this beetle is a mouthful, but so are the mandibles of this insect, which can grow to 2 inches long. Its body can stretch over 6 inches and it is found in Central and South America. It is prized by entomologists for its amazing size and its beautiful reddish brown exoskeleton.

Giant Water Beetle

Also an aquatic entry on this list, the giant water beetle can grow up to 4.3 inches long. As top predators, these beetles are found in freshwater habitats and feed on fish, amphibians and small snakes according to a ResearchGate study. They are ‘nature’s stealth submarines.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.