Why Dung Beetles Stare At the Stars | IN OUR NATURE

“In Our Nature” is a NEW special limited series on It’s Okay To Be Smart!
↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓

Seemingly distant ecosystems, even half a world apart, are connected in surprising ways. In this special limited series, Emily Graslie and Trace Dominguez join me as we explore the universal rules of life that tie together Earth’s living systems. In episode 5, we meet some interesting bugs that use truly extreme senses to navigate their world. How do dung beetles use astronomy to roll their poo balls home? And what does a swarm of beetles descending on a packed football stadium have to do with forest fires? Welcome to the world of extreme animal senses.

In Our Nature is a special miniseries produced by It’s Okay To Be Smart for PBS. Stay tuned for more episodes coming this summer, here on our YouTube channel!

Original Production Funding provided by: Anne Ray Foundation, a Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropy

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[plokko]

"Even if your work is sh*t don't stop looking at the sky"
- a dung beetle

[TraceDominguez]

Seriously this video has everything. Bad accents, Dad jokes, exotic locations, poop, clever banter, fires, extreme insects, a multi-continental adventure, sports (okay, not really just sort of) -- THIS IS BASICALLY THE NATURE DOC EQUIVALENT OF A SPIELBERG EPIC.

[Patmccalk]

Gotta say that slight of hand that your guide pulled there at the start was GREAT

Dips his middle finger in and then puts his index finger to his mouth 😂😂

[jonassteinbach]

This collab contains the most fascinating and interesting lessons about biogology I could imagine. On top of that, you guys keep it entertaining to watch and your passion about the topics is undoubtable. Keep up the good work! Cheers.

[rickseiden]

"I don't know what the kids say. I'm not cool." That, right there, is the story of my life, even when I was a kid.

[jamesd]

Here in Louisiana, I am used to seeing a variety of dung beetle species in my backyard (though they are smaller than the ones you see on TV).
One species is a brilliant metallic green color, which really surprised me when I first found it rolling a ball of s***.

[EmilyGraslie]

Extra props to Joe @2:43 for "beetles battle brutally on a bounty from a bowel -- it's a brutal bowel bounty beetle battle"

[MrBinthestudio]

Ok, y'all need to add a gross-o-meter for videos like this! I was NOT prepared for a high definition elephant poop show! 🤣

[rosemarym]

"Poop is in Leo today" 🤣🤣
I'm dead.

[dlerious]

You three are the best science youtube combo team ever, I know these are old but more of these in the future would be fantastic

[sumedha]

So, can light pollution cause those beetles to lose their way home??

[aarushikishore]

2:58
[DB: Dung Beetle]
DB1: Hey! I made that one!
DB2: Well, too bad it's mine now!
DB1: No! Give it back, you thief! I spent hours making that!
DB2: *stolen* hehe free nest, dont have to make one for mine now
DB1: *sobs in beetlish*

[kwiechufithu]

Man, I love these Nature Series. Thank you for your effort and time in making these wonderful videos.

[ktvx.]

This may sound really dumb but I just found out the Dung Defender from Hollow Knight is real and this is awesome.

[NightWatchersPet]

Of all the puns in here, "Liverpoo" was the one to actually kill me.

[jagadishgospat]

Those beetles watching the milky way to navigate might just be the best thing any insect does, ever.

[depeltenburg]

My chemical teacher did the same trick to show how important observation is… watch close at the poopfinger

[Ann_A_Lien]

“Brutal bowel bounty beetle 🪲 battle!” Yessss!

[ezminj]

I actually really dig this collaborative format 😁♥️

[superbherb]

The dung beetle scene in Microcosmos is...actually, that whole film is sublime.