Rhinocricus

With 188 recognized species, and 120 species that are still unaccepted, Rhinocricus is one of the more variable genera kept in the hobby. Despite the enormous range the genus occupies, from Mexico and the islands of the Caribbean down into much of South America, it is rarely seen available from collectors or breeders. Indeed, there are only four species that are recorded of having been available outside of South and Central America at the time of this writing; Rhinocricus gaudichaudi, which was available in the UK at one point, R. iquitus that was made available in Germany, and a greyish Rhinocricus sp. that was distributed by a German seller (2). It is to be noted that the Caribbean species Rhinocricus suprenans is often misidentified as Anadenobolus monilicornis, which it hardly resembles except in overall color scheme, and as such might have been exported at some point in time as A. monilicornis. In 2020 a few specimens of what are believed to be Rhinocricus parcus from Puerto Rico have entered into the hands of American breeders.

Most species of this genus likely would do best under a care regimen similar to that of most Anadenobolus. Both species that have been reported to have been imported are said to be easy to breed under standard conditions, though that has not been confirmed.

Species in this genus range in color from grey to brown to black to yellow. Size is just as variable, though overall most species seem to be on the small-to-medium end of the scale with very thick bodies.

1. Sierwald, P.; Spelda, J. (2021). MilliBase. Rhinocricus Karsch, 1881. Accessed at: http://millibase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=892485 on 2021-11-13

2. Decker, P., Pfeifle, R. (2021). Rhincocricus iquitos Chamberlin 1941. http://www.diplopoda.de/html/species/riquitus/_riqui.

3. Nasser, K. (N.A.). Rhinocricus parcus from Puerto Rico. Photograph.