Hide beetle
Scientific Name: Trogidae (family level identification)
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Trogidae
Size: 5 to 20 mm in length depending on species.
Natural Habitat
Typically found on dried animal remains, carcasses, or in bird nests where dry organic matter is available.
Diet & Feeding
Scavengers that feed on dry decaying animal matter such as skin, hair, feathers, and dried flesh (specifically keratin and collagen).
Behavior Patterns
They are often the last insects to arrive at a carcass. When disturbed, they frequently feign death by tucking their legs and remaining motionless.
Risks & Benefits
They pose no direct risk to humans; they are beneficial to the ecosystem through the decomposition of organic matter that other scavengers cannot process.
Identified on: 6/8/2026