Dung Beetle !!! ~ சாணி வண்டு

 

In a recent visit to Viralimalai, on the steps saw this insect – trying to carry a load perhaps beyond its weight !! – it was a Dung Beetle !! 

Dung beetles are beetles that feed on feces. All species of dung beetle belong to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea, most of them to the subfamilies Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae of the family Scarabaeidae (scarab beetles).  

Dung beetles live in many habitats, including desert, grasslands and savannas, farmlands, and native and planted forests. They are highly influenced by the environmental context,  and do not prefer extremely cold or dry weather. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. They eat the dung of herbivores and omnivores, and also feed on mushrooms and decaying leaves and fruits.  

In Tamil, a dung beetle is  சாணி வண்டு (sāṇi vaṇṭu).  It is also sometimes referred to as "முட்டைப்புழுவைச் சாணத்தில் வளரவிடும் வண்டு வகை" 

The following sequence of images shows a beetle rolling a dung ball, orienting itself prior to going:  beetle climbs onto the ball; starts to turn around; beetle continues turning around; rolls the ball with its hind legs. 

The amazing thing is – ‘Dung beetle can carry’ (or, more accurately, pull or push) loads far exceeding its own weight. It is considered the strongest animal on Earth relative to its body weight. Specifically, the male Onthophagus taurus dung beetle can pull a staggering 1,141 times its own body weight. This incredible feat is the equivalent of a human pulling six fully loaded double-decker buses.  This immense strength is attributable to its small size as also their muscles attached to their exoskeleton.

 

Here is a short video of Dung beetle taken at Viralimalai footsteps !

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
1.11.2025