Artistic Stag Beetle is Taking the Internet by Storm

Everyone wants to show off their art on social media, but what if your favorite beetle was a painter?

Granted, his art is not that great, but it is more of the fact that he can hold a marker.  Spike, the beetle, has been creating original pieces of art for years. Mandy, who is the owner of this artistic insect was surprised by her pet’s instant fame.

Spike, the beetle, has been creating original pieces of art for years. Mandy, who is the owner of this artistic insect was surprised by her pet’s instant fame.

The English teacher, who lives in Japan, told Buzzfeed News about how she found her beetle could draw. Mandy would give Spike different items to hold with his mandibles and thought it would be interesting to see what he did with a marker. Once he grabbed the item “he moved it around on the page”. She was impressed by his art and decided to take “some photos of his work.”

Mandy would give Spike different items to hold with his mandibles and thought it would be interesting to see what he did with a marker. Once he grabbed the item “he moved it around on the page”. She was impressed by his art and decided to take “some photos of his work.”

Once he grabbed the item “he moved it around on the page”.   She was impressed by his art and decided to take “some photos of his work.”

Needless to say, the photos became an instant hit online. Spike has even sold some of his pieces of art on eBay! One of the items listed on eBay currently has a top bid of over $200. Depending on how much the piece of art goes for, 15 percent of the total price will go towards a stag beetle conservation.

Spike is not the only stag beetle that Mandy owns. He lives with a female named Sally as well as two other rainbow stags named Julius and Cleo. However, these other three beetles do not have the same interest in markers. Mandy told the Irish Examiner that “My other beetles have their unique charms, but none have had the gumption to hold a pen!”

If you are wondering why Mandy owns a plethora of beetles, well, they are popular in Japan. Often times kids will own the insect as their first pet.

Mandy posts all about her beetle's adventures online. Some of the photos even show off her impressive terrariums where each beetle lives.

Sarah is a Hufflepuff living in NYC. When she is not traveling or talking to random animals, she is working as a script writer. Tweet her at @lumpyspacederp