He is always on the lookout for a pile of dung. After all, high-quality dung is a limited resource. The wind and the smell will guide him to a fresh dung pile, and when he arrives, he will detach a piece of it, shape it into a ball, and begin pushing it backward using his powerful hind legs. The competition at the dung pile is intense, so it is crucial to make yourself a good ball and move away quickly. 

The first thing he does, before the hard work truly begins, is climb to the top of his newly created ball to orient himself. He will move in a straight line away from the dung pile, despite all obstacles. But how does he achieve such directional precision while rolling backward with his head toward the ground?

He does what the great explorers of the past did. To ensure he does not travel in circles, he uses the sun, the stars, and the Milky Way to guide himself. From time to time, he stops, climbs to the top of the ball to enjoy the cool breeze up there, and a little break from the heavy work, and checks his navigation, making sure he is on course. Then he climbs back down and continues his journey.

He is incredibly strong, capable of pushing a ball tens of times his own weight. Along the way, he coats and seals the ball with his own saliva, which acts as a strong glue, makes the ball robust, and ensures it keeps its shape. Also, it will mask the smell, keeping other competing beetles away. The dung ball is his private food supply for himself, his potential partner, and their offspring. He certainly does not want it to be stolen.

The bigger, the better. 

A larger dung ball increases his chances of attracting a female. When his hard work pays off and the dung beetle finds his mate, she hitchhikes on top of the ball until they find a proper spot to settle down, where she will bury the ball in the ground and lay her eggs inside. Then, when the eggs hatch into larvae, the nursery within the dung ball serves as an all-you-can-eat buffet for the growing beetles and the next generation of rollers. 

The wilderness provides drama and wonder on every scale; even the smallest creatures and the most seemingly uninteresting elements can have a fascinating story to tell. You just need to look closely and remain curious. There is an entire industry of survival happening beneath our feet.