The Mighty Dung Beetle: Panama's Tiny & Mighty Jungle Cleanup Crew
- Cari Mackey
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Rolling around in poop is a seemingly mischievous pasttime of our dog Princessa and before her, our beloved Remo. Perhaps you have had one of those precious dogs in your life too - the one that pranced home at the end of a long day, or just minutes before guests arrive, proud as punch wearing their latest eau du jour.
The scent is sure to send everyone else running except you. You get the lucky chore of chasing them down as the cleanup crew. While we begrudge them for their nasty fascination, they're not alone in their appreciation of the poo. In the jungles of Panama is a tiny but mighty little beetle that depends on it for survival.
On a hike one day, I was lucky enough to spot this little guy working overtime to roll his perfectly prepared ball of horse manure. All alone and on a mighty mission, I was impressed with its strength, speed, and determination. Dung beetles are actually considered the worlds strongest animal.
A steamy pile of dung is an odiferous call to the animal kingdom of Free Food! A busy place with lots of competition, the dung beetle's goal is to get in and out as quickly as possible to guard his new treasure from other circling coprophiles like my dogs.
To the beetle, the ball of dung will be used as a food source, a place to reproduce and a nursery to rear their young. Dung for the young! They are equipped with powerful antennae that can smell the dung from a long way away even as far as miles if downwind. They fly to the source, use their saliva to pack it into a sphere and get going to a shallow destination away from the competition to deposit for digestion and to bury their eggs into. A nice, fertile, warm spot for incubation - strong work buddy.
This process is beneficial in so many ways to the surrounding ecosystem, not just as a nursery and food source for the beetles, it's a great vehicle for seed dispersal, fertilizer, nutrient cycling, pest control, and cleanup. They are so effective at breaking up big cow patties that farmers and ranchers place a high value on their presence in their pastures.
Speaking of warm, cozy places, remember fall and winter will be here before you know it and Morrillo Beach Eco Resort is the perfect refuge for adventurous humans looking to escape the cold. While the beetles roll their dung balls, you'll be rolling out your beach towel beneath the shade of a palm tree.
With love from Panama,
Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners & hosts
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