InsectNet forum

I have a recently expired Lucanus elephus male, what I am having, or am going to have an issue with is spreading the jaws, when he was alive, he'd stand and his jaws would be spread far apart, you could've put your thumb in there, but now, the jaws are more or less closed, and I am having a
frustrating time getting them apart. I'll give up before I snap off something. Is there a secret, and what is it?

OK, nevermind. The jaws mysterisously loosened...

It's a good example of rigor mortis, which passes some time after death. The muscles will have 'relaxed' which made the jaws moveable again.

Adam.