[Animals] This is the armored beetle of the desert: the "off-road" insect that shines under the Sonora night

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It is so strong that, according to observations by scientists, the desert armored beetle can withstand being stepped on by a human being.
In the desert areas of the southwestern United States, but especially in the Sonoran desert, the armored desert beetle lives. This peculiar species is unmistakable thanks to its robust appearance and its characteristic dusty bluish or greyish colour. The latter is thanks to a waxy layer that it secretes to protect itself from the desert sun and preserve moisture, essential to survive in such hot temperatures.

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When wet, the armored desert beetle turns blackish, which is its true hue. Its legs are robust, and of the same color as the rest of the body, and its thorax is slightly flattened.

It is a crepuscular species, which means it is most active at dawn and dusk. Asbolus verrucosus, its scientific name, has a shell or exoskeleton resistant to almost everything. It's so strong that, according to the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, these beetles can withstand being stepped on by a human being.

death artist
They are also known as "death beetles" due to their defensive behavior in the face of threats. According to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, when alarmed, the armored desert beetle will turn around and pretend to be dead. Its body stiffens to give the impression that its life has come to an end, but this is only a resource to escape its predators.

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On the other hand, it feeds on plants and decaying organic matter and, like many desert dwellers, rarely needs to drink.

There is talk that it is capable of living from 8 to 17 years and can live perfectly in community. Some keepers keep them in captivity alongside other insects such as desert cockroaches, some scorpion species such as Hadrurus arizonensis, velvet ants, or other arid climate beetles.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/escarabajo-acorazado-del-desierto-caracteristicas-habitat-aspecto/