# Ocypus

The Ocypus is a type of beetle that loves to scurry around in the dirt. It has a shiny body and long antennae that help it find food and explore its surroundings.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Ocypus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Staphylinidae_-_Ocypus_ophthalmicus.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Staphylinidae_-_Ocypus_ophthalmicus.JPG)

## Appearance

The Ocypus is a long, slender beetle, typically uniformly black and often appearing wingless due to its very short, square-ended wing covers (elytra). It has a prominent head with large, powerful mandibles and a segmented abdomen that it can raise defensively, giving it a scorpion-like look.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Staphylinidae
- **Genus:** Ocypus

## Interesting facts

- Despite tiny wing covers, their scientific name means "swift-footed" for a reason!
- Some Ocypus species are incredibly long-lived for an insect, surviving over a year!
- These amazing beetles are often called "Devil's Coach-Horse" because of their scary appearance!
- When threatened, an Ocypus can stand on its front legs and mimic a scorpion!

## Special abilities

- **Defense Posture:** Ocypus can raise its abdomen and spread its powerful mandibles because of its flexible body, intimidating predators.
- **Chemical Deterrent:** Ocypus can squirt a foul-smelling liquid from its abdomen that helps them deter attackers.
- **Hidden Flight:** Ocypus has fully developed, functional wings tucked under its tiny elytra that helps them fly.
- **Powerful Mandibles:** Ocypus has strong, sharp mandibles that help them crush prey and defend themselves.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm
- **Size:** 20-32 mm
- **Lifespan:** 250-400 days
- **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

These beetles are fierce hunters, eating many different small creatures and even decaying matter.

- **Primary Foods:** slugs, snails, earthworms, insect larvae, carrion, small insects
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** red slug (*Arion rufus*) — Actively preys on slugs, controlling garden pest populations.
- **Hunts:** [earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Hunts earthworms, contributing to soil ecosystem dynamics.
- **Eaten by:** blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — A food source for ground-feeding birds like the common blackbird.
- **Eaten by:** hedgehog (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Occasional prey for hedgehogs foraging in their habitat.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [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.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch where you step to avoid hurting tiny insects like the Ocypus.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Ocypus?

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 Ocypus's wingspan?

30-50 mm

### How big is Ocypus?

20-32 mm

### How long does Ocypus live?

250-400 days

### How fast can Ocypus fly?

5 km/h

### What does Ocypus eat?

These beetles are fierce hunters, eating many different small creatures and even decaying matter.

### Where is Ocypus usually found?

Forests

### How does Ocypus hunt?

Pursuit

## 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*)

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Source: [Ocypus: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocypus)