The Blue Death Feigning Beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) is a hardy, flightless darkling beetle native to the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. They are famous for their unique "play dead" defense mechanism and a striking powdery blue appearance that acts as a natural sunblock in their desert habitat. 
 
Key Biological Facts
Appearance: They are naturally black but appear blue due to a waxy secretion that prevents dehydration. If they get wet, the wax washes off and they turn black until it is secreted again.
Defence: When threatened, they roll onto their backs and become stiff for minutes or even hours to discourage predators that prefer live prey.
Longevity: They are exceptionally long-lived for insects, typically surviving 8 to 10 years, with some reported to live up to 17 years.
Diet: They are opportunistic scavengers that eat almost anything, including dead insects, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. 
 
Keeping Them as Pets 
These beetles have become popular in the pet trade because they are docile, easy to handle, and require minimal maintenance. 
 
Enclosure: A small glass or plastic tank with a screen lid is suitable; they cannot climb smooth surfaces.
Substrate: Use dry sand (often mixed with a little coconut fibre).
Environment: Keep them bone-dry. High humidity can be fatal and will cause them to lose their blue colour. They thrive at room temperature but enjoy a basking spot of roughly  ().
Breeding: They are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity because the larvae require very specific temperature and humidity cycles to pupate successfully. Consequently, most beetles in the pet trade are wild-caught.