Hide Beetle (Leather Beetle)

Widely distributed worldwide; often found in dry animal carcasses, taxidermy collections, or stored animal products like cured meats and leather.

Scavengers that feed on dried protein and keratin; including hair, feathers, skin, dead remains, and certain types of stored food.

They undergo complete metamorphosis. Larvae are highly active and fuzzy, while adults are dark beetles with white or light-colored ventral markings. They often play dead when disturbed.

Benefits include their use by museums and forensic scientists to clean flesh from bone. Risks include potential damage to household items like wool, leather, and preserved specimens as a pest.