The scarab, or dung beetle, is a creature of great symbolic significance in Egyptian religion; it is associated, among other things, with the deity Khefre. Their main use in the game is in the Test of Khefres Children, one of the tests of Art, the goal of which is to breed beetles with especially attractive shells. Captured wild, beetles can be kept in a Beetle Terrarium, fed a diet of cabbage, and made to breed.
Beetles can be found wild wandering all around Egypt, and can be picked up by anyone. They look threatening but aren't dangerous, and though they are about the size of a camel when on the ground, they are only 1 bulk and 1 weight. (Presumably beetles in ATITD aren't "really" that large, but the game presents a magnified graphic so that they and their designs are visible.)
[Does anyone have any info on beetles' wild habitat? I.e., what terrain types they are most often found in, how common they are, what time of day they appear? Any info at all would help; I'm at sea here. --Veritus]
Veritus - I have found 3 wild beetles. All 3 were found during the day, on grass, near water, and near a path. 2 were found very near the CS stop in Kush - 1 directly off the bridge over the Nile, and 1 on the other side near a small pond. #3 was found by a small lake near the limestone deposit in Kush. (just W of UArch) No idea if this is typical, but seems pretty likely since all 3 were very similar. Hope this helps! - rubenette
i've found beetles in the middle of the desert, on sand, near practically nothing. it may be mere happenstance, but i tend to notice more frequent spawning of wild beetles after loosing of the domesticated sort
There are three types of naturally occuring beetle.
Wild beetles have generally uninteresting patterns. But by breeding them with each other, an amazing array of vibrant color patterns can be created.
Beetles can be safely held in one's inventory for an indefinite length. They cannot, however, be stored in chests. Instead, a special container called a Khefre's Locker is required for long-term beetle storage. A Khefre's Locker can hold up to 50 beetles, and each player can own no more than one locker.
Beetles stored in a Khefre's Locker can be mulched; this, naturally, destroys the beetle. For every 500 beetles mulched by a player, 1 Khefre's Essence is created.
Beetles in a Khefre's Locker or a player's inventory do not breed, nor do they need to be fed.
Beetles can be kept in a Beetle Terrarium, which is built with the Entomology tech. Beetles in a terrarium will reproduce (providing at least one male and one female are present), but must be kept regularly fed with cabbage or they will die. Moreover, if a terrarium gets too full of beetles, some will escape. For this reason terrariums are not ideal for long-term storage of beetles.
With careful monitoring and patience, it is possible to breed beetles with astounding color patterns. Beetles are used as models to create statues for display in Scarab Gardens when competing in the Test Of Khefres Children.
DrDave has compiled numerous tips and strategies to help folks get the most out of their cabbage munchers.