Dung beetle is a type of beetle that feeds on solid animal waste, called dung. There are thousands of species (kinds) of dung beetles. Dung beetles are extremely abundant. They live around the world.
Like other insects, a dung beetle has antennae, three pairs of legs, and a tough exoskeleton (external skeleton). Dung beetles range from 1/25 to 2 1/2 inches (1 to 64 millimeters) long.
Dung beetles break down and recycle waste. They also fertilize soil and help plants to thrive. In doing so, they help to maintain the balance of nature.
Dung beetles can be divided into groups based on their behavior and on how they use dung. These groups are: (1) dwellers, (2) rollers, and (3) tunnelers.
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Dwellers live in and on dung piles. They lay their eggs in dung and provide no other care for their young. Eggs hatch into larvae (young) that feed on the dung. The larvae later dig into the ground to mature into adults.
Rollers carve out a portion of dung and shape it into a brood ball. A roller moves the brood ball by standing on its front legs and pushing the ball with its hind legs. It buries the brood ball to eat later or to use as a place to lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the brood ball until the young insects mature.
Tunnelers move dung into tunnels that they dig. They shape the dung into a brood ball that contains an egg. Males may grow large horns. They use these horns to fight with each other for the right to mate with females. Males are rarely harmed in these fights.
Dung beetles also vary in the kind of dung they use. Many species may use a variety of dung types. Others use only one type of dung. For example, some dung beetles use only the dung of wallabies. Others use only the tiny dung pellets of millipedes.
