# Dung Beetle (*Scarabaeinae*) Dung Beetles are known for rolling balls of dung! They use it for food and to lay their eggs in. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands and forests - **Also known as:** Scarab ![Dung Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Copris_lunaris._MHNT.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Copris_lunaris._MHNT.jpg) ## Appearance The Dung Beetle is a robust, typically black or brown insect, though some gleam with metallic green or blue. Many species have unique horns or ridges on their heads, especially males, making them look like tiny armored tanks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae - **Genus:** Ontherus ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians revered dung beetles, associating their dung-rolling with the sun's journey! - By burying dung, these beetles naturally help reduce fly pests and improve soil health. - Some male dung beetles use their impressive horns to wrestle rivals over mates! - They lay their eggs inside carefully crafted balls of dung, providing a perfect food nursery. ## Special abilities - **Super Strength:** Dung Beetles can roll dung balls 50 times their own weight, helping them transport food and create nests. - **Star Navigator:** Dung Beetles have a unique ability to navigate by the Milky Way's light, helping them roll dung in a straight line. - **Recycling Dynamo:** Dung Beetles accelerate nutrient cycling by burying dung, returning vital elements to the soil for plants. - **Underground Architect:** Dung Beetles can dig intricate tunnels and chambers beneath dung pats to store food and lay eggs. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-60 mm - **Size:** 5-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These amazing insects are nature's clean-up crew, feasting mainly on animal droppings! - **Primary Foods:** mammal dung, bird droppings, decaying fungi, rotting fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — provides dung for food and nesting sites. - **Depends on:** [Horse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/horse) (*Equus caballus*) — provides dung for food and nesting sites. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — preys on dung beetles foraging on the ground. - **Eaten by:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — forages for beetles in pastures and fields. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dung Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Dung Beetle's wingspan? 10-60 mm ### How big is Dung Beetle? 5-30 mm ### How long does Dung Beetle live? 60-365 days ### How fast can Dung Beetle fly? 5-15 km/h ### What does Dung Beetle eat? These amazing insects are nature's clean-up crew, feasting mainly on animal droppings! ### Where is Dung Beetle usually found? Grasslands and forests ### How does Dung Beetle hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Dung Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dung-beetle)