Atlas Scarab vs Sand Treader Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Atlas Scarab Sand Treader Cricket
Scientific Name Scarabaeus atlas Ammobaenetes phrixocnemoides
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 20-30 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions North Africa, Middle East North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Atlas Scarab

A large, matte black roller dung beetle with a broad, shield-like head. It is closely related to the sacred scarab and inhabits arid regions. Powerful forelegs enable it to fashion and roll large dung balls.

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Did You Know?

In extremely hot conditions, this beetle performs thermal dance behavior, climbing onto its dung ball to cool its body.

Sand Treader Cricket

A pale, wingless cricket highly adapted to life on desert sand dunes. Its oversized hind legs have paddle-like spines for walking on loose sand.

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Did You Know?

It emerges only at night and buries itself deep in the sand during the day to avoid heat and predators.