Fearsome ?

:Yes, it looks fearsome, but in fact the Stag Beetle we spotted among the twigs fallen from trees on our drive is harmless. It is the giant crab-like claws which give it the scary appearance.
I was surprised to learn however, that numbers are decreasing and it is now regarded as a protected species. That apparently is largely through its natural habitat in parks and woodland where you used to find fallen branches are largely disappearing under park and woodland management.
We have both trees which shed branches and twigs, but also woodland next door.
Apparently adult beetles like this have a lifespan of only a few months through the summer.
Cannot say I have any closer affinity with them though!