For dung beetles, poop isn’t just waste—it’s a way of life. These resourceful insects roll animal droppings into tidy balls for multiple purposes: they extract nutrients from it, bury it, raise their young in it, and even offer it as a mating gift. Some species go a step further, navigating using the Milky Way to guide their precious cargo. It’s not glamorous, but in the beetle world, dung is survival, romance, and childcare rolled into one.

Navigation

They are the only known insects to orient by starlight. At night, certain African dung beetles roll their dung balls in a straight line by tracking the bright band of the Milky Way, rather than individual stars.

Food Source

Dung beetles roll animal droppings into balls and bury them to feed on later. Many beetles consume the nutrient-rich microorganisms found in the dung, not just the waste itself.

Baby Food (Really)

For brood balls, beetles lay their eggs inside the dung. When the larvae hatch, they’re surrounded by an instant food supply—nature’s version of room service.

Mating Gifts

In some species, male dung beetles roll balls to impress potential mates, offering them a carefully prepared dung package as a sign of their strength and worthiness.