It's on random!

Found this little guy last night outside my apartment. He was lying on his back struggling, and I thought he was hurt. I think he flew into a light, and landed on his back. Turns out he was ok, but with those jaws he couldn't flip over. He grabbed right on to my hand. It reminded me a little of holding a weta, he had those barbed feet that cling on tight, but don't really hurt. He really had quite a grip (yes, we're sure it's a he, only the males have the huge mandibles, used for fighting other boy beetles and for, well, think peacock plumes). I can't get over how gentle he was. He was very gentle and happy just to cling to my hand, be photographed, be carried around. Frankly, I think he's adorable. I guess they get kept as pets a lot here, and I can see why. So docile!

Anyway, I carried him down to the garden and let him go in a safe corner. Well, tried. It took a couple of minutes to urge him off my hand. He did not want to go. I couldn't pick him up off of me, those barbed feet would rip off. Even with my fingers near those jaws, he showed no interest in attacking. He was just passively grumpy about leaving my hand. What a great experience!

The beetle is a type of Stag Beetle, called Kuwagata in Japanese. The big jaws are characteristic of the group, but this one has some of the more impressive mandible formations. Females, since they do not 'joust' for mates, have smaller jaws. I wish I could bring him home with me! But, between Tumaini and Bailey, he'd be beetle paste, and I'd be sad. Definitely one of my favorite animal encounters so far!

Big crane on campus. It's big. I really have no idea what they are making.


And, since the theme here is random pictures, here are EVEN MORE photos of flowers. It's a sickness, I know. There are actually a couple of non-flower entities in these. Just, er, not many. I can't help it, the flowers are all so pretty!

Those of you with dirty minds, there's a new post on my other blog. It's not that bad, but I posted it there for propriety's sake.