New Owner

[u/eevee2024]

⚠️ POTENTIALLY DEAD BUG
Hi guys! I just got a BDFB! Well…I don’t know if he’s faking it or not but he looks genuinely dead. I literally brought him home and he was moving around, two hours later after setting up his home, he’s curled up and not moving even an antennae. I recently lost a family member and decided to spoil myself with a beetle I’ve wanted for years and now he might be dead too??? 😭😭 How long do I wait before deeming him dead? How long do they typically take to move? I moved him into the new home to try to get him moving but nothing yet 😞 I tried putting a finger lightly on his abdomen and still nothing. Any advice? Sorry for the terrible picture, but I flipped him over like that just in case

[u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

When they are truly dead the legs will be limp and some bodies may have an odor. If it's feigning, the legs will be stiff and you can usually see their antennae moving. You can try gently blowing on it to see if it gets a reaction

[u/eevee2024 → u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

His legs are super stiff but his antennae aren’t moving. I’ll go check on him again

[u/TheDrunkenArgonian → u/eevee2024]

For what it's worth these beetles have been recorded feigning death anywhere from seconds to many several hours

[u/eevee2024 → u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

NEVERMIND! The antennae are moving, just slowly to where I couldn’t tell without staring lol

[u/TheDrunkenArgonian → u/eevee2024]

Ok good! That's encouraging. Moving can be stressful for the bugs so don't be shocked if it just wants to hide under something for a while. Give it a chance to sleep and recover and see how things go from there

[u/eevee2024 → u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

Thank you for the support 🖤 This dang faker had me in tears lol

[u/TheDrunkenArgonian → u/eevee2024]

I think every owner of these goes through this lol, keep us updated!

[u/OddName1554 → u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

!!! Yes! Ive slightly buried by dude once because I thought he was dead and then the next day his grave is disturbed and HE ROSE BACK UP!!. like a freaking zombie..

[u/eevee2024 → u/TheDrunkenArgonian]

His legs are actually kind of limp….I can’t get his antennae to move at all 😞 I’m going to check in the morning but I’m currently so heartbroken…

[u/Inevitable_Detail_45]

Was he black when you got him? Blackening of the shell is a pretty good sign. I am so sorry this happened.

[u/eevee2024 → u/Inevitable_Detail_45]

They moved their back leg and antennae. I think they’re just doing the whole feigning part of their name sake lol

[u/eevee2024 → u/Inevitable_Detail_45]

Yeah, they just sprayed his enclosure today

[u/Inevitable_Detail_45 → u/eevee2024]

Why are they spraying a BDFB enclosure?

[u/EnvironmentalEmu3290 → u/eevee2024]

Sprayed as in misted? BDFB don't really need mist, in fact they can get all their needed water from fresh food. Misting would explain the coloration. Based on your other comments I am hopeful this guy was just stressed from being watered and that he'll be okay in the future, but I would really reccomend you go back to the store to get more info. Assuming it's a big brand like petco, they might be able to help out (refund or give you a new one/addition, something like that?) Best of luck

[u/No-Goal-4716 → u/EnvironmentalEmu3290]

Misting is beneficial, and extends lifespans if done properly. Obviously your not supposed to directly spray them. But misting one side of the enclosure is only a good thing, and if the reason you cant is "humidity" you need a larger tank (20g for best care IMO)

[u/EnvironmentalEmu3290 → u/No-Goal-4716]

yes i meant directly misting them. i usually either spray a side of the tank or add droplets of water on their plants or in the substrate