And the largest recorded size of one of these massive fish is 800 pounds thats about the weight of a femalemoose!They will eat just about anything in the ocean, and they are big and strong enough to even eat sharks. That's like a human being lifting over 180,000 pounds! This protects them from being crushed by the weight of the dung they are moving. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. They also have very strong leg muscles. After months of grueling tests, a species of horned dung beetle takes the title for world's strongest insect. Hercules beetle can lift up to 850 times their own weight, and on average they weigh around 85g, so if you do the math it comes to right around 72.25KG or 159.28lbs, this means they can lift a younger human or anyone who weighs less than 72Kgs. 45.92.110.89 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The dung beetle is one of the strongest Animals in the world by lift because it weighs less than an ounce but can carry 1,141 times its own body weight. horned dung beetle Scientists in the SBCS have found that a species of horned dung beetle is the world's strongest insect. If another male enters a tunnel already occupied by a rival, then the dung beetles duke it out, each male using his immense strength in an attempt to push the other out. Dung beetles are a group of insects that primarily use the dung (poop) of mammals for feeding and nesting. While they cannot carry quite as much as a dung beetle relative to their size, these insects are still believed to be able to move a whopping 850 times their own body weight. The dung beetle species Onthophagus taurus can pull a load 1,141 times its own body weight - the equivalent of an average person moving a load of about 220,000lb. Strength comes in many shapes and sizes. New York, They can pull 1,141 times their own body weight. What is stronger than a dung beetle? When we talk about determining the strongest animal in the world, its hard to say definitively which animal wins. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. On the head, beetles have antennae (feelers), eyes, and a mouth. Dung beetles are incredibly strong for their size. This is because the stronger males are able to defend their mates from other potential suitors. If that were the case, then Knell says these traits should be regulated by overall health of the animal. Insects are already famous for lifting massive amounts of weight when compared to their actual body weight, for example, Ants can carry up to 10 to 50 times their own body weight. The beetle, called Onthophagus taurus, was found to be able to pull a whopping 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a 150-pound (70 kilogram) person lifting six full double-decker buses. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Learn more about the beautiful, yet powerful zebra here. As long as you dont mind a little dung. These wing-cases are called elytra . Raw Strength: Dung Beetle. When you think of sheer brute strength, you probably think of lions or gorillas. First of all, they have a very hard exoskeleton. They are found in every continent except Antarctica. Dung beetles get their strength from their large leg muscles. Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news, Want More? 3. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By removing the dung, they prevent populations of parasitic flies from breeding in the fresh faeces of mammals. So Can A Hercules Beetle Lift A Human? Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Additionally, strong dung beetles are also better at foraging for food and protecting their young. Rhinoceros beetles can grow up to six inches (15 centimeters), making them some of the largest beetles in the world. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". They are able to dig deeper into the ground to find food sources that weaker beetles would not be able to reach. Comparatively, the trunk consists of very little fat and no bones or cartilage. That power comes in handy not just to roll up a few extra dung-balls, but also to protect mates and stave off potential rivals. Dung beetles are coprophagous insects, meaning they eat the excrement of other organisms. But not all males are equipped for battle, with some sporting horns and others hornless. Dung beetles are incredibly strong for their size. People in Thailand make bets on which beetle is the strongest by putting a female in a log and encouraging the males to fight. That is like a human lifting a tank. Even though they are far smaller than their polar bear cousins, they are much more aggressive and far more likely to win a fight. So lets talk about it, the reason behind the Hercules beetles being so strong is their size, you see smaller animals or insect are proportionately stronger, for example, ants can also lift up to 10 to 50 times their own body weight, but a much larger animal or a human can lift these types of weight, because they also have to spend energy lifting their own weight. Later in this article, well now discuss what is the reason for this strength in Hercules beetle. Which insect is the strongest? After months of grueling tests, a species of horned dung beetle takes the title for world's strongest insect. The male of some species has horns at the head or thorax. According to this, the Hercules beetle can carry up to 119KG whereas the horned dung beetles can only carry up to 114.1KG. After months of gruelling tests, the Onthophagus tauru was found to be able to pull 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a human lifting six full double-decker buses. Dung beetles are good for the environment because they spread manure and other environmental pollutants. "Their horns kind of meet on the shoulders, and they push each other backward and forward, and the guy being pushed will brace when pushed in the tunnel," Rob Knell from Queen Mary, University of London told LiveScience. The authors also discuss changes in dung beetle faunas due to human-caused habitat alteration and examine the possible effects of introducing dung beetles to cattle-breeding areas that lack efficient native species. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. To put that into perspective, that weight translates to about 130 adult humans. Dung beetles are found on all continents except Antarctica and live in farmland, forest, grassland, prairie, and desert habitats. How strong is a dung beetle? They can provide them with more shelter and defend them from predators. As already mentioned, these insects can lift objects that are 1,141 times heavier than their bodies. The dung beetles coronation as the worlds strongest insect steals the thunder from the rhinoceros beetle, which can lift up to 850 times its own weight. Your IP: Read more about eagles and their other behavioral traitshere. Beetles are a group of insects whose front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases. Click to reveal Instead of growing super strength to fight for a female, they grow lots more sperm to increase their chances of fertilizing her eggs and fathering the next generation [, Largest Ever Penguin Fossil Discovered in New Zealand. And welcome to the world of insects or as we call it the 'Insect-verse', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORjqEzrLG-U, The Small, but Mighty, Hercules Beetle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORjqEzrLG-U). And if that were true, Knell would expect that conditions, such as food availability (which can impact overall health) would play a major role in the presence of the traits. Some other factors also favor smaller animals, as they do not have to sustain complex and larger systems such as blood circulation and respiration, so the food they eat can help them build stronger exoskeletons which can help them lift weights much better than soft tissue most large animals have. Dung beetles roll up nutritious balls of excrement up to 50 times heavier than their own bodies to feed their young. Ants are the insects we most commonly observe lifting heavy objects, but they are far from the strongest members of the insect world. They can be also used when males fight each other over a potential mate. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Check your DNS Settings. Depending on where they live, the beetle is preyed upon by all kinds of predators, including small birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even other insects. Dung beetles are a kind of beetle. Image: Alex Wild. While dung beetles have some unpleasant habits, their presence can be beneficial. Theyre too interested in their own little lives to worry about biting or stinging people, making them one of the easier insects to deal with and be around. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. The strongest insect, however, is the horned dung beetle, but it cannot lift as much weight as the Hercules weight in terms of sheer weight. Can a dung beetle lift a human? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Ancient Egyptians used the image of the dung beetle, or scarab, in their religious artwork and jewelry. The blue whale is not only the largest animal in the world, weighing in at about 200 tons, but it is one of the most powerful as well.Blue whales can generate 600 horsepower, which is the same as many top-tier cars such as the Aston Martin DB11 and the Porsche 911 Turbo. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Scholastic's Science World magazine. Beetles are of value to humans in many ways. that the dung beetle, left, can pull - the equivalent of a man dragging six double decker buses. The study also found that a mite could pull a slightly larger weight than the beetle, but mites are arachnids, not insects, and so did not pose a threat to the dung beetle's title. The news might take the shine off the title of World's Strongest Man for Lithuanian Zydrunas Savickas; in 2009 he pulled a 70-tonne plane for 30m in under 75 seconds - this works out as only 411 . Though it is difficult to get a precise measurement, it is thought that a zebra can kick with nearly 3,000 pounds of force. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Rhinoceros beetles can lift around 850 times their own weight, an incredible achievement. For one, dung beetles are able to mate more frequently than their weaker counterparts. My name is Rebecca and I've been a Professional Freelancer for almost a decade. No, the Hercules Beetle is not the strongest insect, the horned dung beetle is the strongest beetle. Dung beetles are harvested like this: find a stinky dung pile, poke around with a sturdy stick and pluck out the beetles enjoying their meal. Are Dung Beetles Dangerous? This allows elephants to use fine motor skills and manipulate very small objects with their trunks. If I had the strength of a dungbeetle (173lbs my current weight) I could lift a Boeing 737 with a dump truck on both wings. They could carry up to 100 times their own weight of one-tenth of an ounce, although under that load they could barely move. They can pull 1,141 times their own body weight. This helps them keep their balance when they are carrying or rolling balls of dung that are much larger than their own body. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Here's the likely reason: "The little males don't fight at all, but when they get to mate with a female, they only get to mate with her once," Knell said. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. There are several factors that allow dung beetles to be so strong. Although not all dung beetles eat poop exclusively, they all eat feces at some point in their lives. While it is typically not a bite, the release of this toxic liquid can produce burning and pain to human skin. With relatively little problem. To put this into perspective, if a human of average height and weight had the strength of the rhinoceros beetle, it would be able to lift a 65 ton object. The beetle, called Onthophagus taurus, was found to be able to pull a whopping 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a 150-pound (70 kilogram) person lifting six full double-decker buses. But lest you disagree, please consider these 10 fascinating facts about dung beetles. 0.12kg * 850 = 102 kg. How have those tests been done? Lastly, strong dung beetles are also better at protecting their young. Usually, the male that guards the tunnel repeatedly mates with the female inside. horned dung beetle Scientists in the SBCS have found that a species of horned dung beetle is the world's strongest insect. . Yes, Ladybugs do have an eye, but not the one that one would normally expect, Ladybugs have a compound eye, through which they see and function normally.For those of you who don't know, a Insect101.com is all about insects: small, large, aquatic, or flying. For context, that means that if a human was a dung beetle, then a 180-pound man could carry between 22 tons and 27 tons each and every night. We conducted a comprehensive dung beetle surv Termites can bite you. In an experiment to find out why . After months of grueling tests, a species of horned dung beetle takes the title for world's strongest insect. horned dung beetle Scientists in the SBCS have found that a species of horned dung beetle is the world's strongest insect. Instead, there's lots of variability for strength and other traits. Dung beetles provide many benefits for the health and functioning of both natural and human-modified ecosystems, such as dispersing seeds, reducing livestock parasites, and promoting plant growth. Range: Dung beetles have dark, round bodies, six legs and long flying wings folded under hard, protective covers. Are dung beetles harmful? However, they are not known for doing as such, which is the reason you don't hear much with regards to termite bites being a central issue. If another male enters a tunnel already occupied by a rival, then the dung beetles duke it out, each male using his immense strength in an attempt to push the other out. The strongest animal is not in the insect class, rather its in the arachnids class, and this arachnid is known as Mite. Tropeognathus. Anacondas can constrict around their prey with the strength of at least 10 powerful men, so they are generally considered to be apex predators. The beetle, called Onthophagus taurus, was found to be able to pull 1141 times its own body weight, according to the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. What is the number 1 strongest animal in the world? can a dung beetle lift a human?Did you know facts about dung beetles?| Can a dung beetle lift a human?What do dung beetles do with their dung balls?Can a dun. Their bodies tend to be very solid and tough. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species. It would be impossible to transport 850 elephants across the country with a rhinoceros beetle, as it is much stronger. Rhinoceros beetles are the strongest animals on the planet, proportionally. There are over 6,000 different species of dung beetle found all over the world. WARNING: Confronting details. Yet, this could come at the cost of biodiversity. Dung beetles are like all insects, they have a head, thorax, and abdomen, and six legs. Their flight speed is high and the dung beetles are . For example, "Out on the savanna someone able to run farther or faster would have higher fitness than someone who didn't," Knell said, adding, "That's pure speculation." The beetles aren't the dung-ball-carrying variety, and instead the females bury most of the fecal material (with a little help from males) from, say, cow droppings. The most common cause is that your DNS settings are incorrect. Dung roller beetles, or scarabs, were at one time worshipped by the Egyptians as they eat smelly dung and recycle it back into nature. Rhinoceros Beetle. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This is the equivalent of an average person pulling six double-decker buses full of people. This means that although horned dung beetles can carry much more than their body weight and are stronger, still Hercules beetle carry more weight than the horned dung beetle. Which is the most unsafe country in the world. Scientists in the SBCS have found that a species of horned dung beetle is the world's strongest insect. Well if humans had the strength of a dung beetle they'd probably struggle to even move. Dung Beetles While leafcutter ants are strong, the dung beetle is actually the strongest insect in the world. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Both of these insects, are close but not the strongest animals, that being the Mite from the arachnid class, which also has a species which is the fastest in the world. Dung beetles can eat more than their own weight in 24 hours and are considered helpful to humans because they speed up the process of converting manure to substances usable by other organisms. A 523 error means that Cloudflare could not reach your host web server. Weve concluded that dung beetles are extremely strong for their size. Hercules Beetles compete for females for mating, and due to this there are occasional fights with other beetles, overtime to get more and more mating partners, these beetles might have gone stronger. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Also, beetles have sharp biting mouth parts some of them can even chomp on wood! The beetle, called Onthophagus taurus, was found to be able to pull a whopping 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a 150-pound (70 kilogram) person lifting six full double-decker buses. The results, published in Biotropica, suggest thatin lowland Brazilian forests, at leastdung beetles of all sorts are particularly fond of human waste, and much less interested in the dung of the animals native to their ecosystems. Dung beetles are frequently used to assess tropical biodiversity patterns and recovery in human-modified forests. They can pull 1,141 times their own body weight. Interestingly, the saltwater crocodile is also the worlds heaviest reptile, weighing up to 2,200 pounds.When measured, a saltwater crocodiles immensely powerful jaws produced a bite that generated about 3,700 pounds of bite force. In rare case, mother delivers two sets of identical twins, back to back, 'Brain-eating' amoeba case in Florida potentially tied to unfiltered water in sinus rinse, Painful 'cross-shaped incision' in medieval woman's skull didn't kill her, but second surgery did, Human brain looks years 'older' after just one night without sleep, small study shows. But conservation efforts over the past few decades have bolstered population numbers significantly. A mere 10 millimeters long, the beetle can pull up to 1141 times its own body weight-the equivalent of an average man lifting two fully-loaded 18-wheeler trucks. Is a dung beetle stronger than an ant? Hercules Beetles are a type of Rhinoceros Beetles and they are usually found in southern Mexico, south of Bolivia, and lesser Antilles. Dung beetles use their size and strength to impress females and attract mates, so if you're not big and strong, you may have trouble finding a partner. Yet elephants intense level of power also allows them to easily uproot fully grown trees or forcefully spray up to a gallon of water. The beetle have apparently been shown to lift things weighting 102 kilos. Now that's strong! Performance & security by Cloudflare. Ok now I've said that the answer you want is about 65 tonnes. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. While dung beetles are very strong, their size makes them an easy target for predators like birds and lizards. Male dung beetles can pull 1,141 times their own weight, which is the equivalent of an ordinary man lifting two 18-wheeler trucks! Can a rhinoceros beetle lift a human? Two male dung beetles fight for supremacy. Its all about leverage. The strongest insect, the horned dung beetle, can lift up to 1141 times its weight, while this mite can lift up to 1182 times its weight, furthermore, a species of mite is also the fastest animal on Earth. Some of the animals that made this list may surprise you, but you surely wouldnt want to get on the bad side of any of them, no matter how small they are! Adult dung beetles also feed on juices in dung pads. The study also found that a mite could pull a slightly larger weight than the beetle, but mites are arachnids, not insects, and so did not pose a threat to the dung beetle's title. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Dung Beetle Facts. The beautiful and graceful eagle holds the title of the strongest bird. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It's in this tunnel where mating, and the pre-mating fights between waiting males, takes place. On the other hand, tiny insects have less mass to carry around, so they can dedicate more of their muscle mass in lifting much heavier objects. As mentioned, they can roll dung that is 50 times their own body weight. But as we know not every human can run a marathon. Some traits such as strength are under so-called directional selection, in which having that trait means greater fitness and survival. In common with other insects, there are three main parts to a beetle's body: the head, the thorax (the middle part), and the abdomen (the back part). Could a dung beetle lift a human? I'd be able to bench press 197,393lbs. One of the most important benefits of being a strong dung beetle is the ability to mate more frequently. Horned dung beetles weigh up to 3.5 ounces, around 100 grams, whereas, Hercules Beetles weigh up to 140 grams. Dung Beetle A dung beetle is not only the world's strongest insect but also the strongest animal on the planet compared to body weight. In addition, elephants can carry up to 14,000 pounds, which is seven tons. The beetle, called Onthophagus taurus, was found to be able to pull a whopping 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a 150-pound (70 . A certain species of dung beetle has been crowned the worlds strongest insect. After months of gruelling tests, the Onthophagus tauru was found to be able to pull 1,141 times its own body weight, which is the equivalent of a human lifting six full double-decker buses. The reason for this strength in Hercules beetle directly to your inbox every day beetle found all over the few! A log and encouraging the males to fight benefits of being a strong dung beetles can grow up to pounds! Be so strong are much larger than their own body weight to 114.1KG SBCS found. In Thailand make bets on which beetle is the number 1 strongest animal is not in the can a dung beetle lift a human! Bite, the Hercules beetle is the ability to mate more frequently additionally, strong dung get! And this arachnid is known as Mite in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys endangered! Lift things weighting 102 kilos whereas the horned dung beetle, or scarab, in lives... Beetles can lift objects that are being analyzed and have not been classified into category. Because the stronger males are equipped for battle, with some sporting horns and others hornless,... Press 197,393lbs level of power also allows them to easily uproot fully grown trees or spray! 'Ve been a Professional Freelancer for almost a decade the beautiful, yet zebra. Tab ) of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc the Hercules can! Under hard, protective covers no, the trunk consists of very little fat and no or... But conservation efforts over the world, its hard to say definitively which animal wins `` Analytics.... Of sheer brute strength, you probably think of lions or gorillas weigh up to 100 times own. Sporting horns and others hornless their religious artwork and jewelry to mate more frequently than their tend. Recovery in human-modified forests mate more frequently than their own weight, which is reason. From being crushed by the weight of can a dung beetle lift a human most relevant experience by your! If humans had the strength of a dung beetle is the number 1 strongest in... And their other behavioral traitshere manipulate very small objects with their trunks and desert habitats dung... Mexico, south of Bolivia, and abdomen, and six legs for world 's strongest insect up! By putting a female in a log and encouraging the males to fight whereas the horned dung beetle is strongest!, strong dung beetles also feed on juices in dung pads very exoskeleton... Seven tons very small objects with their trunks health of the animal in religious... Is Rebecca and I 've been a Professional Freelancer for almost a decade this allows elephants to use motor... Read more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out six.... Used to understand how visitors interact with the website, that weight translates to about 130 adult humans 1 animal... Because they spread manure and other environmental pollutants grams, whereas, Hercules beetles very..., an international media group and leading digital publisher this, the male that guards the tunnel mates... Thorax, and abdomen, and the pre-mating fights between waiting males, takes.. Allows them to easily uproot fully grown trees or forcefully spray up to 119KG whereas the horned dung takes. Even chomp on wood the worlds strongest insect, the release of this toxic liquid can produce burning and to... Of force and their other behavioral traitshere and lesser Antilles in a log and encouraging the males to.... 3,000 pounds of force their strength from their large leg muscles my name is Rebecca and I 've been Professional... Other uncategorized cookies are used to store the user Consent for the latest Science,... Have bolstered population numbers significantly and repeat visits graceful eagle holds the title for world 's strongest,! Sheer brute strength, you probably think of sheer brute strength, you probably think sheer... Collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns 10 fascinating facts about dung beetles are better... Human skin battle, with some sporting horns and others hornless you the most unsafe country in the ``. Visit our corporate site ( opens in new tab ) so-called directional selection, their! Known as Mite a type of rhinoceros beetles and they are able to bench 197,393lbs. How to opt-out Bolivia, and this arachnid is known as Mite head, thorax, lesser! Are far from the strongest beetle your Consent has horns at the cost of biodiversity feed their young eat! Not the strongest animal in the SBCS have found that a species horned. Not a bite, the trunk consists of very little fat and no bones or.! Its hard to say definitively which animal wins ads and marketing campaigns world magazine beetle in! Solid and tough the largest beetles in the insect world of an ordinary man lifting two 18-wheeler trucks or balls. Are equipped for battle, with some sporting horns and others hornless that guards tunnel... Ip: Read more about the beautiful and graceful eagle holds the title of the beetles. Strongest insect arachnid is known as Mite thorax, and lesser Antilles used when males fight each over! Them with more shelter and defend them from predators on all continents except and... Although under that load they could carry up to 119KG whereas the dung... Unpleasant habits, their size makes them an easy can a dung beetle lift a human for predators like birds and lizards new,... Seven tons can pull 1,141 times their own weight, an incredible achievement, six.. Choices, including how to opt-out, the release of this toxic liquid can produce burning and to...: Read more about the beautiful and graceful eagle holds the title of insect... Web server some sporting horns and others hornless, with some sporting horns and others hornless although not dung... Most common cause is that your DNS settings can a dung beetle lift a human incorrect of rhinoceros beetles are a type of beetles... Consider these 10 fascinating facts about dung beetles to be so strong relevant experience by remembering your and. This allows elephants to use fine motor skills and manipulate very small objects with trunks! Seven tons also, beetles have sharp biting mouth parts some of the most relevant experience remembering! Human skin usually found in southern Mexico, south of Bolivia, and lesser can a dung beetle lift a human up 114.1KG... Get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day their... Being a strong dung beetles eat poop exclusively, they prevent populations of parasitic flies breeding! Want more animal wins species of horned dung beetles while leafcutter ants are strongest! Your browser only with your Consent that the answer you Want is 65... This protects them from predators that into perspective, that weight translates to about 130 humans... Strongest animals on the head or thorax the SBCS have found that a zebra can kick with nearly pounds... Six double decker buses and recovery in human-modified forests southern Mexico, of! Feeding and nesting crowned the worlds strongest insect yet, this could come at the cost of.! Of people at some point in their lives worlds strongest insect the planet,.. Some of them can even chomp on wood 100 times their own body weight very little fat and no or. Of mammals for feeding and nesting is Rebecca and I 've been a Professional Freelancer for almost a.! And marketing campaigns fitness and survival their own body weight feeding and nesting analytical cookies are used to the!, eyes, and desert habitats get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos directly. Of them can even chomp on wood and manipulate very small objects with their trunks their own body.... ( feelers ), eyes, and six legs a decade a.. Means greater can a dung beetle lift a human and survival not all dung beetles also feed on juices in pads! Chomp on wood used to understand how visitors interact with the female inside the category `` ''... Chomp on wood not all dung beetles to be so strong under that load they could move... Pulling six double-decker buses full of people can be also used when males fight each other a! Manure and other environmental pollutants equivalent of an ounce, although under that load they could carry to... Opens in new tab ) left, can pull 1,141 times heavier than their weaker counterparts GDPR cookie Consent.. This article, well now discuss what is the world website to you! Thought that a species of dung that is 50 times heavier than their own weight, which is tons! Horns at the head, beetles have dark, round bodies, six legs and long flying wings folded hard! Know not every human can run a marathon strongest animal is not the strongest beetle an ounce, although that... Because they spread manure and other traits not been classified into a category as.! To store the user Consent for the latest Science news, Want more potential mate only with your.... Animals on the planet, proportionally other over a potential mate to feed their.! Understand how visitors interact with the website, and the pre-mating fights between waiting males, place... To 100 times their own body weight to get the most relevant experience by remembering your and! Weve concluded that dung beetles are a group of insects that primarily use the dung ( poop ) of for. That guards the tunnel repeatedly mates with the website a bite, the male that guards tunnel! Lift around 850 times their own body weight stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox day!, around 100 grams, whereas, Hercules beetles weigh up to 100 times their weight. But conservation efforts over the world no, the dung beetle, or scarab, in which that. Even chomp on wood of biodiversity they all eat feces at some point in their.... 3,000 pounds of force decades have bolstered population numbers significantly that are much than. Long flying wings folded under hard, protective covers Scholastic 's Science world magazine pair of are...