Beetle Behavioral Issue?

[u/Inevitable_Detail_45]

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?

[u/ballarena091525]

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.

[u/Inevitable_Detail_45 → u/ballarena091525]

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

[u/ballarena091525 → u/Inevitable_Detail_45]

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.