African Dung Beetle vs Spanish Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Dung Beetle Spanish Copper
Scientific Name Scarabaeus rugosus Carabus hispanus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Carabidae
Size 15-22 mm 22-34 mm
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions Southern Africa Southern Europe, Western Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, roughly textured black roller beetle found in southern African sandy habitats. It has prominent teeth on the clypeus and strong forelegs. Active during daylight hours, rolling dung on sand.

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Did You Know?

On hot sand, this beetle will perform a stilting behavior, standing on tiptoe to reduce contact with the burning surface.

Spanish Copper

A spectacular ground beetle with vivid coppery-red and green metallic colouring. It inhabits southern French and Iberian mountain forests.

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Did You Know?

Collectors once prized it so highly that over-collection led to local population declines.