No insect rose to such high eminence in the ancient halls of Egyptian religion as Scarabaeus sacer, the sacred scarab. The Egyptians believed that a cosmic scarab, a type of dung beetle, rolled the golden orb of the sun across the sky towards the west during the day and then trundled it through the underworld at night, attending to any necessary repairs and maintenance along the way. When the sun popped up in the east each morning, it was consequently as good as new.
The connection between celestial mechanics and a small beetle rolling a pile of dung about is not so apparent to the modern mind. However, before pooh-poohing the idea, it is as well to note that painstaking and excruciatingly precise research has revealed that there is indeed a connection of sorts. Dung beetles apparently manage to roll their ball in a straight line by orientating themselves relative to the sun by day and the Milky Way by night. They need to keep to the straight and narrow in order to make a fast getaway; rolling a dung ball around aimlessly is an open invitation to other beetles to try and steal it, and none of them wants that to happen.
Where there’s muck there’s money, so to speak, and there are hundreds of different species of beetles which make an honest living harvesting dung and a disreputable few who make a habit of stealing from others. They all prefer it fresh, and the droppings of herbivores and omnivores are especially preferred, having the best mix of nutrients. Hyena droppings, which are hard, white and mainly composed of calcium, can be safely ignored. Elephants provide a colossal bonanza and an especially large deposit quickly attracts hundreds and sometimes thousands of beetles within a matter of minutes.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2016 من Wildside Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2016 من Wildside Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
4 Reasons Experiences Are Worth Investing In
By now, the elation and anticipation of buying the latest Apple product has lost its lustre, and as the bills pile up, buyer’s remorse settles in.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Spectacular coral islands, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, a stunning array of marine life and a multitude of water sporting activities are what make the Maldives the perfect holiday destination.
MEERU ISLAND RESORT AND SPA
PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECT
ADAARAN SELECT MEEDHUPPARU
PERFECT ISLAND ESCAPE
DE HOOP – NATURE UNCHANGED BY TWO CENTURIES
“Ever wondered what it’s like to kick back in a pristine natural coastal environment so ancient and unchanged that it’s become the benchmark for measuring environmental change in South Africa?”
ADAARAN CLUB RANNALHI
PARTY PARADISE
A Practical Guide to Evaluating Captive Wildlife Attractions and Activities
Captive wildlife attractions and interactions remain a complex, contentious and emotionally charged issue.
Valentine's Day ‘Month Of Love' Specials From Around The Country...
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner it’s time to check out the fabulous Valentine’s specials* being offered at top South African hotels around the country – and to check in for that extra-special Valentine’s weekend with your extraspecial someone! *valid for the entire month of February
It's A Dogs Life....
''Beverley Country Cottages, in the beautiful, lush green Dargle Valley is one of Milo’s favourite places along with his owners, The O’Mahony’s!
Why You Need To Plan A Wine Trip To Italy
Italy offers countless options for an unforgettable, luxurious wine holiday