# Scarabs (*Scarabaeidae*) Scarabs are shiny beetles that are often found in gardens and fields. They are known for their unique shapes and colors, and they play an important role in nature by helping to clean up waste. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Scarabs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Fiddler_beetle_nov07.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fir0002, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiddler_beetle_nov07.jpg) ## Appearance The Scarabs has a distinctive stout, often rounded body, and can display a wide array of colors, from iridescent greens and blues to dull browns and blacks. They are characterized by their unique lamellate antennae, which can fan out, differentiating them from other beetle families. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Scarabaeidae ## Interesting facts - A few types of scarab beetles can glow in the dark, lighting up their forest homes! - Some scarab larvae live underground for years before becoming beetles! - Some scarabs can make loud squeaking sounds by rubbing body parts together! - The largest scarab beetle can be bigger than a human hand! ## Special abilities - **Super Strength:** Scarabs can push and pull objects many times their own weight because of their powerful legs, which helps them dig tunnels and roll dung. - **Antenna Sensors:** Scarabs has specialized lamellate antennae that helps them detect faint chemical signals, useful for finding mates or food. - **Protective Armor:** Scarabs has an extremely hard exoskeleton that helps them protect their soft bodies from predators and impacts. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 5-300 mm - **Size:** 2-170 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-1095 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Scarabs mostly eat decaying plants, dung, or sometimes fresh leaves and flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae often feed on decaying wood or roots, while adults consume dung, fungi, or plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** decaying plant matter, animal dung, roots, leaves, flowers, fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins frequently forage for scarab larvae and adults. - **Eats:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Some scarab larvae consume the roots and decaying wood of oak trees. - **Depends on:** Domestic Cattle (*Bos taurus*) — Many dung beetles rely on cattle dung for food and for housing their larvae. - **Parasitizes:** Japanese Beetle Parasitic Wasp (*Tiphia vernalis*) — Female wasps lay eggs on scarab grubs, which their larvae then consume. ## Traits - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Scarabs are harmless and fun to watch, but it's best to leave them alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Scarabs? 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 Scarabs's wingspan? 5-300 mm ### How big is Scarabs? 2-170 mm ### How long does Scarabs live? 365-1095 days ### How fast can Scarabs fly? 15 km/h ### What does Scarabs eat? Scarabs mostly eat decaying plants, dung, or sometimes fresh leaves and flowers. ### Where is Scarabs usually found? Grasslands ### How does Scarabs hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lake Underhill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-underhill-park) — Florida, US · Park - [Backlick Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/backlick-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Lockhart Beach Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lockhart-beach-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Scarabs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/scarabs) ## 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: [Scarabs: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarabs)