Stellate Dung Beetle vs African Tiger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Stellate Dung Beetle African Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name Gymnopleurus humanus Manticora latipennis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Cicindelidae
Size 10-16 mm 40-65 mm
Habitat Grasslands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Stellate Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, glossy black roller found in African savannas. It has a nearly perfectly spherical body when viewed from the side. An extremely fast roller that can outpace many predators on flat terrain.

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Did You Know?

Its near-perfect spherical body shape is an adaptation that makes it difficult for predators to grasp.

African Tiger Beetle

The world's largest tiger beetle, a fierce predator with massive jaws. It is flightless and hunts on the ground at night.

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Did You Know?

Despite being flightless, it can sprint across sand at speeds that would be equivalent to a human running over 300 km/h.