One little-known story about African dung beetles is their remarkable ability to navigate by the stars. These beetles use the Milky Way to orient themselves as they roll their dung balls in a straight line, even on moonless nights.

Research has shown that the beetles can detect the polarization patterns of light in the sky and use this information to navigate. However, recent studies have also shown that they can use the stars themselves as a reference, particularly the glowing band of the Milky Way.

In one experiment, researchers placed the beetles in a planetarium where they could see a simulation of the night sky. The beetles immediately oriented themselves towards the simulated Milky Way and began rolling their dung balls in a straight line, just as they would outside.

This ability is particularly impressive because the beetles are able to use the stars to navigate even when the Milky Way is obscured by clouds or trees. It also means that the beetles can continue to navigate at night, which is when many of their predators are active.

The fact that a small insect can navigate by the stars is a testament to the incredible complexity and adaptability of the natural world, and serves as a reminder of how much we still have to learn about the creatures we share the planet with.