Is that what I think it is?

If you think this is a huge dough left to rise on the forest floor… I’ll let you into a secret.

It isn’t.

If, on the other hand, you’re leaning close to your screen, sloshing that coffee in your hand, and thinking …

“Oh my! Is that – poo?” Then the answer is: Bingo!

In fact, it’s horse dung, lying on a path in the woods. And look – can you see those shiny dung beetles?

I was so excited (I don’t get out much) to see big holes and tunnels in the horse poop, and the dung beetles scuttling around busily. While they go around munching on breakfast, they aerate the tunnels, attract worms to the dung (you can even see one in the  photo peeking its head out of the stuff) and play a very significant part in helping to break down the dung and return it to nature.

You see, I always thought dung beetles lived in Africa and pushed balls of dung up hills, or only appeared as cute supporting characters in Ice Age films. In fact, you can find dung beetles on every continent except Antarctica.

I’ve just discovered that several Swedish dung beetle species are threatened. You know what that means – right? We need more cow pats and horse dung!

Before you poo-poo this post (but not literally, I hope), I’d like to point out that to the Egyptians, several species of dung beetle were sacred and they were often called ‘the sacred scarabs’.

So, next time you step in some poop, give a quick thought to these humble – yet once revered – members of the dung community!

For more appetizing posts, please visit: Pet Pride.