Dung Roller Beetle vs Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dung Roller Beetle Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Kheper nigroaeneus Scarabaeus sacer
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 25-40 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Africa Africa, Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dung Roller Beetle

A large dung beetle that navigates using the Milky Way to roll balls in straight lines.

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Did You Know?

It was the first animal proven to use the Milky Way for orientation.

Dung Beetle

Sacred to ancient Egyptians who associated them with the sun god Ra. They roll balls of dung for food and breeding. Navigate using the Milky Way.

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Did You Know?

Dung beetles are the only known animals to navigate using the Milky Way — they use the band of light to roll their dung balls in a straight line.