Common east of the Mississippi, Stag Beetles are noted for their large size and ferocious appearance. A durable exoskeleton and imposing, pincer-like mandibles on males imply aggression, but this is not an accurate reflection of the beetle. The mandibles on the male are generally reserved for male-to-male combat when it comes time to woo a female Stag Beetle. The winning male gets the opportunity to mate. Among males, younger males have shorter mandibles than older ones. The mandibles on the female are much shorter than that of the male, which can be as large as their heads. Its exoskeleton appears smooth and glossy and has a rich dark red or brown hue to it. This species is different from other Stag Beetles thanks in part to the orange or yellow coloring at the base of each leg.
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* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Stag Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Stag Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Colors: red; black; orange; yellow 
