Stag beetles are a particularly impressive, even fearsome sight. The males of most species sport large, branching jaws that resemble antlers on a deer and give them their name. These jaws are used for fighting and wrestling with other males over territories and food. The females' mandibles are usually less showy and grand. There are around 1,200 species in this beetle family worldwide, with some species reaching a respectable 12cm in length. The larvae of the majority feed on rotting wood.

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