The rhinoceros beetle is a colossus in terms of insects and is considered one of the most powerful animals on Earth compared to its weight. You have probably heard that it can carry its own weight up to 850 times, even without bending in knee segments, incredible!
Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that if an elephant was reduced to the size of an error, its force relative to its weight would increase x-fold, and yet it could easily fly with its own ears. This is due to a phenomenon known as the scaling law, originally recognized by Galileo.
My favorite rhinoceros beetle
Despite its size, appearance, and relative brute force, the rhinoceros beetle is usually not considered a pest beetle, or it bites or stings. In some countries, for example, Japanese rhinoceros beetles are considered attractive creatures, and the larvae are sold to children in stores. Do not fish for fishing, but poke like domesticated bugs. Imagine that your pet is undergoing a complete metamorphosis!
The best way to pick up your adult beetle is like a crab, you just hold it by the flanks of your shell at the middle point, if you don’t like the way it grips your fingers with its claws.
Built-in toolkit
These claws are just one of many target tools for clinging, digging and cleaning. Indeed, the rhinoceros beetle is a fully equipped fast-moving machine, and many of the novice engineers will be inspired by the fascinating working parts of their levers and segments, which further expand their power.
The rhinoceros beetle is able to dig for safety, using its powerful front legs, the upper parts of which are shaped to burst the ground. Then there is a horn, not only for rut, but also for plowing through forest cover, blazing after it.
With such amazing abilities, as well as the ability to fly, it’s scary to think that if such six-legged creatures grew to the size of a man, they would have every chance to rule the world.
What prevents the growth of insects?
We mentioned earlier the scaling law. Galileo noted that if the diameter of the sphere doubles, the surface area is multiplied by four, and the volume by eight. This means that the elements of the body are not increased by the same amount.
If we say that if an insect grew to the size of an elephant without fundamentally changing the original shape of its body, it would be so heavy compared to its legs that it could not move its own frame, let alone lift 850 times its own weight.
So, calming down, even if someone invented the magical hormone pill for growing insects the size of a man, the resulting errors will be about as agile as a wheel dozer with flat tires.
