LOWLY DUNG BEETLE FINDS DIRECTIONS FROM THE STARS

SELF-IMPORTANT POETS AND PHILOSOPHERS,

TAKE NOTE

 

Not only you and your concerns are NOT the center of the universe - but one of the most humble creatures in the world has chosen to look to the stars for guidance.

 

Studies on the dung beetle, also known as scarab, have confirmed that he uses the glow of the Milky Way to orientate himself and walk in a straight line. The studies were conducted by Dr Marie Drake from Lund University in Sweden. When she fitted her control subjects with cardboard caps that blocked the sky, these beetles were unable to find their way and kept going in circles. 

 

Dung beetles feed on animal droppings, which they shape into a ball to be rolled away to a spot where they can eat alone in safety, far from competitors.  Walking in a straight line is important, so that they won't circle back to the same dung-heap. On moonless nights these little guys use the Milky Way's glow to orientate themselves. It's nothing less than amazing.