General: Desert Ironclad Beetles (Asbolus verrucosus) are medium-sized, fast moving beetles of the desert. These beetles eat plant debris on the desert floor, and apparently make good pets that live more than 10 years. They do not stink.

Taxonomy: Order Coleoptera (Beetles), Family Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles), Subfamily Pimeliinae

Where to Find: I found this beetle in sandy desert west of Needles, CA (between Needles and Essex).