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!
We’re on PATREON! Join the community ►► / itsokaytobesmart
↓↓↓ 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.
References: sites.google.com/view/inourna...
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 KZbin channel!
Original Production Funding provided by: Anne Ray Foundation, a Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropy
-----------
Special thanks to our Brain Trust Patrons:
Clinger-Hamilton Family
Attila Pix
Burt Humburg
DeliciousKashmiri
Mario Orso
Brian Chang
Roy Lasris
Javier Soto
dani bowman
David Johnston
Salih Arslan
Baerbel Winkler
Robert Young
Amy Sowada
Eric Meer
Dustin
Marcus Tuepker
Karen Haskell
AlecZero
SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a video! ►► bit.ly/iotbs_sub
Join us on Patreon!
/ itsokaytobesmart
Twitter
/ drjoehanson
/ okaytobesmart
Instagram
/ drjoehanson
/ okaytobesmart
Merch
store.dftba.com/collections/i...
Facebook
/ itsokaytobesmartpbs

[@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.

[@TraceDominguez]

Also, for the record, I am an excellent wedding dancer 💃💃💃💃

[@GlenHunt]

@@TraceDominguez I won the parallel Earth lottery!! I'm not going to any other Earth. You can't make me!!

[@eliletts1680]

👌

[@fyaerwe]

Welcome to the "It's Okay To Be Smart" channel. :D I guess you're new here. I've been a big fan ever since I discovered them.

[@GlenHunt]

@@fyaerwe Not new at all. I've been here a very long time.

[@plokko1]

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

[@GloryBlazer]

beautiful

[@kaizokujimbei143]

@@GloryBlazer And also shitty. xD

[@fyaerwe]

I just screencapped this and shared it on social media. You might go viral. You're welcome. Lol. (I thought it was comment gold 👍)

[@mosquitobight]

"Keep your eyes on the sky and your feet on the poop"

[@w_ldan]

Deep

[@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 😂😂

[@TheAbcjohnson]

I THOUGHT that’s what happened! I’m gonna re-watch…for the FOURTH Time!

[@Patmccalk]

@@TheAbcjohnson lol he’s talented, it was a simple trick but well done!

[@ShirinRose]

Oh thank goodness, I thought he'd actually put the poop finger in his mouth 😅🤢

[@vinnieg6161]

whether it's a trick or not it was still disgusting lol

[@nethercrocodile5859]

@@Patmccalk i am also doing that to trick my friends lol

[@rickseiden1]

"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.

[@TraceDominguez]

thank you. same. even when I was a kid.

[@rickseiden1]

@@TraceDominguez OMG! TRACE! I've loved your work since way back on Discovery! I love that you and Emily are on this channel now. I hope it's not just a special series, but a permanent thing. (Not that I don't love your work, too, Joe. I even told you that years ago in the live stream where you and Wheezy Waiter built the Lego rocket. Not that I'm a stalker or anything. Just do us one small favor, please. Bring back the globe.:) )

[@epauletshark3793]

Me too.

[@GandalfTheTsaagan]

Flashback to when we were given an assignment in late elementary to write a letter in informal speech (aka we were supposed to use lots of slang). After two or three classmates had read their assignment out loud the teach stoped us and asked how many needed help from adults and almost everyone raised their hands. I'll never forget the expression of sheer disbelief and amusement.

[@knowthyself5044]

Being cool is over rated🌻

[@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"

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@micahbirdlover8152]

I like you Emily 😊

[@micahbirdlover8152]

cute 🥰bettle earings

[@jonassteinbach2673]

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.

[@Rakka5]

I'd say that they are overacting it a bit though.

[@assortedgem219]

Ikrr they're a greay trio lmao

[@rosemarym5334]

"Poop is in Leo today" 🤣🤣 I'm dead.

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people Marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@jagadishgospat2548]

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

[@jamesd5366]

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***.

[@American-Plague]

I believe we have those same green metallic ones in Florida as well. I've only seen them once, rolling dog 💩 away.

[@jamesd5366]

@@American-Plague we have the best stuff here in the southeast United States tbh

[@American-Plague]

@@jamesd5366 Yep! 😎👍 Southern Appalachia (where my family lives) is almost like a rainforest in summer.

[@jamesd5366]

The species I've seen is Canthon viridis, the rainbow scarab is a different genus altogether apparently.

[@naturespecialist1489]

@@jamesd5366 hmmm do you a picture? For us to see

[@sumedha9089]

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

[@kurehahwagguk8976]

Yea as for flies that cant find their way back home anymore because they are stuck with the artificial lights thinking its the suns light

[@RitaMaru11]

@@kurehahwagguk8976 Oh no

[@suanlsrm6488]

@@kurehahwagguk8976 sucks to be galaxy grazing beatles in this days but human neither the earth is already on a stove

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@ktvx.94]

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

[@MCjossic]

*Dung Defender

[@ktvx.94]

@@MCjossic ah, that. Thanks.

[@pustota7254]

B r u h

[@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! 🤣

[@therandomwizard188]

Tell me about it, i had a plate of food in front of me lolol

[@Mtl-zf9om]

After this episode I learned that elephants never suffer from hemorrhoids with such large a**holes.

[@NightWatchersPet]

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

[@miguelg1716]

ikr???

[@analyticsjun]

It's why I love this show 😂😂

[@depeltenburg6916]

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

[@TraceDominguez]

YOU CAUGHT IT

[@RavenFilms]

I just posted the same.

[@kaizokujimbei143]

You teacher is a chemical? xD

[@rougnashi]

@@kaizokujimbei143 We all are, friend. 😎

[@kaizokujimbei143]

@@rougnashi I guess we are chemicals. xD And now that I think about it, it sounds kinda metal. UwU

[@dlerious77]

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

[@AnnALien-hm8xe]

“Brutal bowel bounty beetle 🪲 battle!” Yessss!

[@kwiechufithu]

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

[@superbherb7947]

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

[@CMZneu]

What's amazing is a larva can eat charcoal, do they eat it though or do they eat the mostly unburned wood underneath?

[@francoislacombe9071]

I would guess the second. 🤔

[@TraceDominguez]

They're eating the unburned wood underneath. Good on ya!

[@mahadevparmekar2565]

They eat the unburt wood underneath... The reason they prefer charred wood is because most animals run away from forest fires... So, reaching the place of fire first means there are no predators or competitors. Its a safe place to lay your eggs, basically.

[@mrittikamurmu645]

Offtopic-sorry this deserves more like (right now it's in 42)

[@mrittikamurmu645]

@@mahadevparmekar2565 makes so much sense but i also feel that this first became a genetic reqirement (as u see their ability they have did build some strongity ) and then what u said came by as a follow-up profit?. I mean that's how I somehow feel

[@mokongthe3856]

Imagine being born, and then your job is to literally roll poop.

[@aarushikishore1417]

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*

[@aarushikishore1417]

u know that feeling when you work so hard but someone else takes it away

[@warduxe]

@@aarushikishore1417 that school project or that 1 kid who copied ur homework.

[@aarushikishore1417]

@@warduxe :''''''''')

[@nethercrocodile5859]

@@aarushikishore1417 its like cooking the food and the food is gone before you even eat

[@aarushikishore1417]

@@nethercrocodile5859 ya xP

[@proylanbuts]

these bettles are so good with their job. all i can say is... well dung bettles! Well dung!

[@RavenFilms]

Did anyone notice he switched fingers before licking? Still gross that he touched it, but well played on his part. He knew most people would be so focused on the gross factor that they wouldn’t notice the switch. Good trick.

[@lf8994]

I would emphasise the "still gross" part... unnecessary move to say the least

[@Winiarus1435]

Ah yes, the perfect video to watch while Im eating

[@ezminj]

I actually really dig this collaborative format 😁♥️

[@Inspirement]

I was hesitant at first to watch this series because I didn't know the other people who were featured, but really happy I gave it a chance! I agree with you. Very well edited with a fairly unique format and interesting co-hosts.

[@emmettturner9452]

I don’t. It reminds me of those TruTV shows where a bunch of idiots keep interrupting videos with some unfunny snark.

[@imhotepwpc2]

@@Inspirement Hi, if you don't know the other 2 people, please allow me totally recommend them, Emily Graslie has a channel called: The Brain Scoop, one of her very first videos many years ago was the dissection of a wolf, pretty intense. Trace Dominguez used to be the host of DNews, pretty cool channel as well.

[@VidralliaArchives]

@@emmettturner9452 Same, honestly. I wish they would cut the jokes because they're not working.

[@kuryamtl]

Really loving these videos. I hope you continue to make more of these.

[@B00s3]

Great Episode! The 3 of you work great together. Loving this series!!

[@atree8648]

After watching this , I m now jealous of dung betels because they can see the milky way and I can't because of city 🤦‍♂️

[@PrimalBoos]

Relatable

[@arunabhganodwale1022]

It is an overwhelming thing!!! I was in the Vindhyachal range CG - MP border, around 7-8 O'clock night, and then, it was there, absolute darkness and gazillions of stars. A must see for every one, living in light polluted areas. 🤯🤯🌟🌟⭐✨💫🌌

[@jackielinde7568]

"It's a brutal, bounty, beetle battle." Me: (Singing) 🎶 Dung! Dung! Dunnnnnnnnggg! 🎶

[@davepctech1559]

His legs are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's poop on his body already Brutal beetle battle, Serengeti

[@therealpixie]

Who says nerds have no fun? You guys rock when you’re together. Keep it up.

[@waldemarzan]

Love this type of content delivery with the the three of you.

[@nekoeko500]

When people ask why I don't watch TV, I link them to this show

[@davidmccoy3174]

I love the old finger swap to make it look like you sample the dung.

[@Inspirement]

Just noticed Emily's dung beetle earrings! Love it!

[@micahbirdlover8152]

I know so did I 😊

[@furatceylan8]

this is shaping up to be my favorite quasi-documentary series!

[@reginaldojunior1778]

one of the best series about science that I've ever seen!! :D Love you guys

[@SydChill]

This is quite literally the coolest thing I have learned about in a very long time. Thank you guys!! Hahahaha

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@deepdude4719]

I loved it! Thank you guys!!!

[@Sr.Estroncio38]

This was disgustingly amazing

[@MonsterIsABlock]

Plot twist: *You did not understand the title but clicked anyways.*

[@notablock1483]

hahahahhaha good one

[@nabhchandra_]

whats hard in it tho

[@yashsingh1631]

No

[@TheAbcjohnson]

That was VERY entertaining in almost every way possible!

[@tanvirapu885]

This trio is my most favourite trio in KZbin......

[@vivekminj3836]

This series is awesome.

[@usernamecopied1693]

The information ,facts and knowledge giving us from this two bug and this channel providing us is incredible 👍

[@alexismerritt5726]

The banter is everything

[@purplemosasaurus5987]

Loving this series from the start.

[@sergeyzaitsev2365]

congrats with 4M, awesome channel!

[@maji0]

this is the most interesting video in a long time. I learned about fungi and viruses this week, so I feel small. the complexity of the world is mind-bending.

[@rougnashi]

If you want to feel so big as to be a galaxy unto yourself I suggest Journey to the Microcosmos. It'll show you a layer of life so infinitely small by comparison that whole populations can live within a single other organism.

[@judithwalker3600]

You kids are so funny! Thanks for the laughter! (or the chuckles actually)

[@muhammedshahbaazp6603]

Respect these heroes... Thanks for this interesting talk

[@fluxequinox]

Emily is so beautiful and interested in beetles that shes wearing a painr of graceful beetle ear rings :)

[@jilldevitophd]

I don't just like this video, I LOVE IT. Keep up the great work.

[@uWu-fp2lc]

I love this series

[@Semirotta]

15:28 Absolutely brilliant. I laughed hard... "Lay some eggs in it" god darn I laughed so damn hard.

[@rayhaanadam9520]

Awesome video! Thanks 😊

[@eliletts1680]

Very cool video! I learned a lot here! This reminds me of the time I helped a dung beetle get out of a store... 😌

[@designermombygeetachugh2022]

So much fun and learning

[@shamik_sathe]

This was the coolest video. It just made my mind go pffft!!

[@tushargawali3486]

Really awesome video which make me feel I am smarter than other because now this two facts are known to me which are told in video.

[@ericf9531]

Best episode ever!!!

[@anubhavmishra7477]

Your videos are awesome mann

[@marksturgis3536]

If I had a sister a science nerd like Emily would be the best. Joe & Trace would make great brothers too. Fun and interesting show this week!

[@EasterWitch]

Next time I'm looking up at the Milky Way I will be thinking of dung beetles!

[@spacebeetle]

FASCINATING

[@antt.9044]

I think I have chosen the perfect episode for today's toilet session. I REALLY feel part of the circle of life

[@Rex1Mundi]

Ha ha I love this show. Please continue.

[@revenevan11]

I loved seeing the map of dung beetle paths traced out with angle markers in a circle in the planetarium. Felt like the essence of science right there!

[@whyukraine]

OMG this is so good.

[@beariclymenus3565]

Getting real princess carolyn vibes with the brutal bowel bounty beetle battle 😂

[@Jessijitsu]

Something else that dung and charred wood have in common is that they are both HOT. Not only does poop come out of the shoot at steaming body temperature, but the degradation/fermentation process also generates heat energy. Also - both burnt wood and poop contain substantial amounts of nutrients - which means abundant food for newly hatched...larvae? (I have no idea what baby beetles look like, or what their life cycle consists of).

[@keithfaulkner6319]

Basically little naked caterpillars.

[@mattrutherford4641]

Yay Trace! Here for it!

[@ForwardNewsToday]

4:12 funniest line ever

[@MiguelJuanez]

Awesome! Great outro 😂 😂 😂

[@MumboMod]

Incredible :)

[@Laurpud]

Interesting AND hilarious!

[@urrh]

so glad i read the title before clicking. was about to eat and watch a vid

[@Bifocal_Burrito]

I am pretty sure I saw a different video on this exact topic not too long ago. The presentation of the It’s okay to be Smart team makes it well worth the look again.

[@DemsterDog]

You guys are such nerds😂😂..... I love it, I'm happy there's others like me 😊... Such bad puns and jokes I just love it 😊

[@MrJacke]

If only I was as enthusiastic about leg day as these beetles😔

[@christinemurphy8862]

Love the Beatles puns/jokes at the end 🤣

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people Marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@mishkin31]

It's an old chidren's trick. Play it on slow motion. He changes the finger. Hahaha.. You, guys, are lovable people. And smart.

[@Urroner]

I hope y’all have kids. Awesome dad jokes. Very entertaining and educational. Kids learn best when they’re having fun.

[@gaymer618]

These trio vids are really good

[@prashantbudhathoki3259]

This video is so EXTREME!

[@charlie.patton]

“…I think we have a future in Liver-poo.” 10/10 🤣

[@thaikeaugusto4356]

You guys are so nerd... I LOVE IT.

[@LX3CT_639]

4 Million subs Congrats

[@travisbrewer5391]

My Dad would say, “cut it out, you’re having too much fun.”

[@shanebep3135]

This is good I will watch this later when my dog goes to bed

[@shaorandra]

Accurate about brothers 😆 very accurate. In a good way! Love the video (like all the videos of you 3)

[@sriku1000]

A Unique take on Why people Marry siblings kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGPadaWff910rrs

[@ger128]

Yay Emily Graslie ❤️

[@kristianprigl7895]

What a good video to watch while you eating

[@advaykumar9726]

Congrats on 4 million subs!

[@WWZenaDo]

I think the ancient Egyptians understood the value of dung beetles, since scarabs are apparently the Egyptian representation of a dung beetle. So much for those fantasy meat-eating scarabs of so many horror movies....

[@6023barath]

8:25 You're not cool, Trace. You're FIRE!

[@canniestcash2830]

Like a year ago I accidentally step on one and the crunch is still haunting me every time I step on a leaf or twigs

[@Perfect-thing]

Congratulations in advance for 4 MILLION subscribers 🤩✔💯

[@DrewNorthup]

Yay Emily!

[@riddhichakraborty4890]

Wonderful video!! Makes me all the more humble and "down to earth" 😌 Thank you to all three of you! Great going!

[@loercayt6146]

Nice my teacher made me watch this I never thought I will get this in science class