A Namib desert beetle runs to stay cool: how scientists solved the puzzle of this unique and speedy species

A Namibian desert beetle cools down by running in the sun.

By: Duncan Mitchell, University of the Witwatersrand, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 8, 2026

Words: 1,097

Last Updated: 1 day, 11 hours ago

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By Duncan Mitchell, University of the Witwatersrand

The Namib desert of south-western Africa can be extremely hot – the surface temperature can be over 50°C. But a surprising number of around 200 beetle species live on its bare, inhospitable-looking sand dunes.

Scientists studying them were perplexed by the astonishing behaviour of one of the beetle species – a darkling beetle, Onymacris plana.

Like most desert darkling beetles, it is black – a …

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