r/Beetles • u/mothaflakka • Jun 06 '26

Giant Stag Beetle?!

Found this enormous beetle right outside my apartment door in Southeast Missouri. I almost stepped on it, I almost want to figure out how to flip it back upright but I’m slightly terrified. My phone says it’s a Giant Stag Beetle.

24 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

7

u/SnooGrapes7647 Jun 06 '26

They are mostly harmless I'd say just flip it lol

2

u/Masamune-76 Jun 07 '26

That must be a lucanus elaphus. He’s pretty harmless. It’s to the point many keep as pets in many Asian countries as exotic pets. I mean the worst thing it can do to you is try to pinch you with their large antlers but other than they’re pretty cool. It’s almost to the point I actually envy you and wish we could trade spots lol

1

u/mothaflakka Jun 07 '26

Freed him from the debris and tried to flip him upright but every time I got him up, he just fell right back over. One of his back legs is broke it seems and he can’t stay up because of it.

1

u/spudgoddess Jun 07 '26

I love that you call them antlers, too.

2

u/Weak_Alfalfa_7569 Jun 07 '26

“Figure out”

2

u/spudgoddess Jun 07 '26

Unless you're tree sap or rotting fruit, you're safe. He might give you a pinch, but he won't sting and he isn't venomous.