Beetle CPR
Return to Marian's Site page
Female beetle in ICU
Female Dung Beetle in Intensive Care Unit

Photos on this page taken the same day in October 2004.
Male beetle in ICU Male Dung Beetle in Intensive Care Unit

Apparently these beetles try very hard to be clean, as they often fall in the swimming pool and drown.
One day, not expecting much, I tried CPR on one of the victims and after an hour of 'chest' compressions it revived and began washing its little antennae and went on to a full and useful life (having an 80 pound dog and 12 outside cats, I do appreciate every little bit of help in the yard sanitation department.)

Thus encouraged, I began the DBICU, with a really remarkable 100% (so far) success rate.
CPR
First position for thorax compression- turned right-side up works just as well, but it does get boring, so the patients are turned from time to time.

Both beetles were totally unresponsive on arrival at DBICU, limbs frozen, antennae locked. No response to stimuli. They were also wet. Diagnosis: drowned.
Beetle palm dance
Utililizing the hydroscopic properties of paper towelling, excess fluid was wicked away, and then external thorax compression begun.

As they were both quite far gone, it was into the second hour of resuscitation (interrupted by various computeroid activities, letting dog in and out, etc.) before the first twitch was seen.

After more stimulation and massage, success! The male patient plays 'peek-a-boo' on my palm while cleaning his antennae.

As he was not only handsomer than the female, but enough larger to make focussing easier, nearly all photos are of him, but the female also recovered completely.
Beetle outside
Beetle outside
Isn't he gorgeous in the sun?
Beetle outside
He'd make a lovely jewelry design.
Beetle outside

Beetle outside
Beetle outside
Beetle outside
And there he goes underneath the vegetation, off to resume his profession. Good luck!