Small miracles in a giant world

Olympian: This little dung beetle is busy making a dung ball to eventually roll away to feast on or turn into a hatchery. It can move dung balls 50 times its weight! —123rf.com

WHEN it comes to the animal kingdom, many will most likely picture large, majestic beasts roaming vast open plains or a lush green rainforest. Less attention is usually given to the smaller critters that scurry about their daily lives in the shadow of their big neighbours.

We would certainly notice it, though, if insects disappeared from this planet because they play a crucial role in keeping nature in balance. And these tiny unsung heroes actually lead exciting and challenging lives, if we only know how to look.