English Name: Marshall Elephant Dung Beetles Scientific Name: Heliocopris marshalli Péringuey, 1901

Origin: Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Size: 34-41mm (1.3 - 1.6") Rarity Level: ★★★★ Description: As the name refers to, Marshall Elephant Dung Beetles are attracted to and feed on elephant feces. Among 52 species of the genus Heliocopris, Marshall Elephant Dung Beetles are only rarely being found from Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Two narrow thoracic horns defines the beetles to be Marshall. They are one of the largest dung beetles in the world!

Dung beetles are generally attracted to animal feces and dead animal bodies to feed and lay eggs inside to raise young larvae. Many dung beetle species roll animal feces into a small brood ball to lay a single egg into each brood ball. Then once the larva hatch from an egg, they feed on brood ball until they reach adulthood.

Feces is a solid (or semi-solid) remains of food waste that was not digested completely in the stomach, and has been broken down by bacteria in body. This doesn't mean it is nutrition-less. Of course, it may not be healthy for us (humans) to consume again for extra nutrition, but it is okay for dung beetle larvae to feed on to grow healthy!

*Information may be changed or updated without notice