The
Humble Dung Beetle
I hope you enjoyed this past month of soccer mania, I did. Never before did I have the opportunity of talking to so many strangers, with soccer on everyone’s lips there was always something to chat about. All my teams lost, from Bafana Bafana, Ghana, Germany and then Netherlands. Good thing I am not a “gambling woman”.
It is the opening of the world cup soccer than inspired this article. You may remember the huge dung beetle that paraded around the field. Some of us thought it was a bit odd; when Africa has such magnificent animals to show off like leopard, lion and elephant, why use the humble dung beetle? Just think about it, the dung beetle is an avid footballer – spends his days rolling dung into a ball and then rolls it around the African bushveld!! Actually, there is more to that but I rather spend time on why we must take care not to injure or kill these precious little creatures.
Dung
beetles collect fresh dung, lay their eggs in it, then roll the dung into a
ball and with its back legs before rolling the dung ball into its nest in a
burrow. When the eggs hatch the offspring have food immediately available
(something like fast food, not sure if I must say healthier??)
The importance of these creatures is that their dung burying activities lead to improved soil fertility, aeration, and water penetration. By burying dung, soil fertility is increased and rapid recycling is promoted increasing plant nutrients.
These
precious creatures were once widespread throughout South Africa but now are
limited to a few pockets of populations, the largest at Addo Elephant Park.
It does not mean you won’t find them. A little while ago I followed one with
my camera and watched him for ages while he dug his burrow to bury the dung
containing the eggs. Dung beetles ask for nothing. Except that we don’t
ride over their food i.e. their dung!! Their staple diet is dung, they
don’t even need water as the dung provides all the necessary nutrients they
need. So next time you see a load of dung in the road or on a path, TAKE
CARE. Don’t drive over the dung heap, just in case there is one of these
busy humble creatures feeding or laying their eggs.
Till next time, Cheryl
· http://www.dungbeetlesforafrica.org/