How Dung Beetles Make Their Lives in Animal Waste

Don’t play with poo — unless you’re a dung beetle. Then, by all means! This insect plays with animal excrement (*shudder*), and while it may be gross, it’s actually a crucial part of our ecosystem. Think of them as the recycling men of the insect world, reusing waste for a greater purpose. Didn’t you know that one animal’s trash is another insect’s treasure?

Dung beetles are super small, measuring only about 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inches) to 6.35 centimeters (2.5 inches), depending on the species. For those curious, the Smithsonian Channel captured a close-up video of this insect at work carrying an enormous dung ball — and it’s impressive to see this creature do its thing in 4K resolution! In the clip shared on YouTube, an Addo flightless dung beetle rolls a ball of dung that appears up to 20 times its size. The beetle appears to stand on its head, using its legs to push the dung ball along. That’s pretty amazing.  

“With many elephants and other large mammals around, there’s always a steady supply of food,” the video narrator says. That doesn’t make it any easier, though. The dung beetle has to move the dung to a hiding place before it can eat it. (Yep, the dung is the dung beetle’s food. Yum!) This insect is determined and will push the ball of poo all the way home. There’s no DoorDash for animal poop, after all.

Stronger Than Body Builders

Dung beetles are even stronger than bodybuilders if you compare their weight-to-lift ratio. This impressive insect can move dung balls weighing up to 50 times its own weight. Additionally, some dung beetles have a hornlike structure on their head that male dung beetles use for fighting. They use their feet to roll the dung balls, with spurs on their back legs that help. They also have strong mouthparts called mandibles that allow them to efficiently break down and consume the droppings.

When they aren’t pushing a ball of dung to collect, the dung beetle often flies around to search for manure from cows, elephants, and other animals. They have long flight wings folded under hardened outer wings, allowing them to fly several miles at a time as they use their antennae to sniff out dung. (Imagine having a heightened sense of smell just for poop!) Even though we may think they are kind of gross insects, dung beetles have been revered throughout history. The dung beetle comes in many colors, from glossy black to metallic green and red. They are so cool and beautiful that Ancient Egyptians even used their image in artwork and jewelry.

Different Types of Dung Beetles

As shown in the video linked above, some dung beetles roll dung into balls, then transport and bury them near their home before eating. Sometimes, the female dung beetles will even lay their eggs in the dung in what’s called a brood ball. Other types of dung beetles include tunnelers and dwellers. Tunnelers land on manure and dig down into it, burying a portion of the dung underground. Dwellers simply move into the dung and lay their eggs directly in it, without burying them. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will grow by eating the poo around them. (Or more specifically, the undigested nutrients found inside animal dung.)

Unique Mating Rituals

Dung beetles have unique mating rituals that — you guessed it! — involve dung. For rollers, the female dung beetle may hop on the ball of dung that a male is rolling. The male dung beetle will fight off other males who get in the way before eventually finding a spot to stop. The pair will then bury the dung ball together, mate, and lay an egg in the ball.

Tunnelers behave differently. The female will burrow directly beneath a dung pile and pull in food, while the male stands guard and fends off rivals. Occasionally, hornless males bypass the guarding male by digging side tunnels to reach the female and mate. Dung beetles, also known as scarabs or tumblebugs, play a vital role in ecosystems. Without them, animal waste would accumulate, attracting flies and creating unpleasant conditions. Dung beetles help remove waste, improve soil quality, and provide other ecological benefits. These insects are pretty cool, even if we would never want to share a meal with them.