Death Feigning Beetle (Asbolus sp.) Bioactive Vivarium Kit

A complete bioactive terrarium kit for Death Feigning Beetles, or all Asbolus sp. The genus Asbolus contains a small group of darkling beetles that are commonly found in South-western United States and Mexico. There are only four species, and the most common one you will find within the pet trade are Asbolus verrucosus, the Blue Death Feigning beetle. In the wild, their perfect biome is dry and sandy, and they survive by being omnivores, eating up different food items they come across like dead insects and lichen. An interesting aspect about them is their ability to avoid predators by, you guessed it, feigning death! They become virtually motionless, and stiffen their appendages to liken themselves to a dead insect. This is quite an effective defense, as most predators rely on movement to hunt, as long as they commit to the bit. These active little beetles love to climb and wander their terrariums, and can do wonderfully in groups. Due to there inability to climb glass, rimless terrariums that do not have lids work great for this species as it adds increased ventilation. 

Inside this kit, you will find plenty of enrichment items, like Cholla and Ghost wood! We have also included additional sand to lay on top of your Terra Sahara, so that the upper level of your substrate stays drier, not to harm your beetles with too much moisture or humidity. This also helps you create a closer environment to what they have in the wild! 

With the Dude’s one of a kind, handcrafted Terra Sahara, and additional sand, it will allow you to create that environment that they need perfectly. Not only will the substrate retain humidity levels beneath the surface for larvae and pupae, but it also allows them to do what they like to do as critters. When keeping invertebrates in bioactive set ups, many of the instinctual behaviors that make them so unique as animals comes to life in the terrarium such as exploring their surroundings with seemingly no fear! This kit includes everything that you need to get started going bioactive.

This kit does not contain the enclosure, clean up crews, or any UVB or heating elements your pet will need!

Looking for a good clean up crew for your beetles? Check out our Arid Springtails!

Looking for an enclosure? Check out our Micro Terrariums!

——12" x 12" or 10 gallon——

x1 6 quart Terra Sahara bioactive substrate - The Dude's handcrafted substrate. Great for arid biomes.

x1 2 qt Sand - used as a substrate topper.

x1 The Bio Dude Compressed Sphagnum Moss Brick 150 Grams. You will have some material left over.

x1 Cacao Leaf Litter 20 ct

x1 6 quart BioShot - Perfect shot for soil amount. 

x2 Cholla Wood 2” x 6”

x1 Pau Terra Estrela 3pk

x1 BULK CASE (8lbs) Texas Slate Rock

x1 12” Solar Grow LED w/ internal mounting hardware

x1 Solar Grow Daisy Chain 8"

x2 3”-4” Arid Plants - The Dude’s Choice!

——18" x 18" or 20 gallon——

x1 18 quart Terra Sahara bioactive substrate - The Dude's handcrafted substrate. Great for arid biomes.

x2 2 qt Sand - used as a substrate topper.

x1 The Bio Dude Compressed Sphagnum Moss Brick 150 Grams. You will have some material left over.

x1 Cacao Leaf Litter 20 ct

x1 18 quart BioShot - Perfect shot for soil amount. 

x2 Cholla Wood 2” x 6”

x2 Pau Terra Estrela 3pk

x1 Sandblasted Ghostwood Branch 10”-12”

x1 BULK CASE (8lbs) Texas Slate Rock

x1 12” Solar Grow LED w/ internal mounting hardware

x1 Solar Grow Daisy Chain 8"

x3 3”-4” Arid Plants - The Dude’s Choice!

——24" x 18" x 18"/24" or 40 gallon——

x1 36 quart bag of Terra Sahara - The Dude's handcrafted substrate. Great for arid biomes.

x3 2 qt Sand - used as a substrate topper.

x1 The Bio Dude Compressed Sphagnum Moss Brick 150 Grams.

x1 Cacao Leaf Litter 20 ct

x1 36 quart BioShot - Perfect shot for soil amount.

x2 Cholla Wood 2” x 12”

x3 Pau Terra Estrela 3pk

x1 Sandblasted Ghostwood Branch 14”-16”

x1 BULK CASE (8lbs) Texas Slate Rock

x1 24” Solar Grow LED w/ internal mounting hardware

x1 Solar Grow Daisy Chain 8"

x4 3”-4” Arid Plants - The Dude’s Choice!