Natural History Wanderings

Dung Beetles (Photo credit: friel)

Researchers learned that Dung Beetles use the glowing edge of the milky way to navigate. The Dung Beetles create balls of manure which are much larger than their bodies and roll them away from where they are found to use as food and possibly nests. It is important that they roll their balls in a straight line so they can get away from the larger pile where they would be more vulnerable to having their balls stolen by others.

Birds, seals and butterflies are also known for using the stars for navigation. This leads scientists to theorize that use of the Milky Way for navigation may be widespread by other animals. Read more at:  For dung beetles, Milky Way is guiding light – latimes.com.