Dung Collection (#4)

Musical Dung Fly
The dung fly says bye-bye my little wife, I m going out to make music, you have to cook for me. Date: 1930s

Eggs / France / 18th C
The Art of making chicks hatch. Eggs are kept in barrels buried in dung. Thermometers are used to control the temperature and make eggs hatch faster. Date: Circa 1760

Dung Beetle
A Dung Beetle. Date: 1960s

Egghead Mottlegill (Panaeolus semiovatus) fruiting bodies, growing on cattle dung at high altitude, Bernina Pass, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, june

Dung or Scarab Beetle - Botswana

Dung beetles on dung making a ball to roll away and bury with their egg inside

Road sign of dung beetle with dung ball in the Coto Donana national park Andalusia Spain

yellow dung flies on cow dung

Dung beetle making a dung ball to roll away and bury with an egg inside

Manure heap and cart in farmyard, 1913 Home Farm, Beamish Museum, County Durham, England, september

Green Tortoise Beetle (Cassida viridis) larva, with protective droppings, Spain, may

Flightless dung beetle with dung ball
Flightless dung beetle (Scarabaeus rugosus) on top of a dung ball. The dung beetles that roll dung into balls, known as rollers

Drying cow dung for fuel
Drying cow dung for household fuel, Photographed in India, Maharashtra, Nashik

Cow manure drying in the sun, India
Cow manure drying in the sun. Once dried this manure will be burnt as a fuel for cooking. Photographed in Haryana, India

Small Skipper Butterfly
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) butterfly, feeding on mud laced with animal droppings from which they obtain minerals and salts via their long proboscis

Collector of Dung - Constantinople, Turkey with his pony bearing two wicker panniers to hold the gathered refuse and a spade to pick it up with!

Woman making mudbricks - Madhya Pradesh - India
Scene in a village Madhya Pradesh Province, India with a woman making waht appear to be mudbricks, although these could be roofing tiles or dung fuel (?). Photograph by Ralph Ponsonby Watts

Manure Dryers / Collectors - Madras, India
Indian manure collectors and dryers. The manure was collected off the streets, worked into brickettes, dried in the sun and then sold for fuel in place of wood and coal to the local populace

Chinese Dung Collectors
Young children scrape animal droppings off a paved walkway

Elephants competing for food strip bark off trees in the Ngulia Black Rhino Sanctuary in Kenya's Tsavo National
MAB-130 Elephants competing for food strip bark off trees in the Ngulia Black Rhino Sanctuary in Kenyas Tsavo National Park West

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"Dung: Nature's Unsung Hero" In the vast landscapes of Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa, two diligent dung beetles can be seen tirelessly rolling a massive ball of dung. These remarkable creatures play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem by recycling animal waste and enriching the soil with their efforts. Meanwhile, another determined dung beetle is spotted pushing its prized possession - a perfectly formed ball of dung. This incredible display of strength and determination showcases the beetle's unwavering commitment to finding a suitable location for its offspring. Venturing into ancient times, we stumble upon coprolite - fossilized dung that offers invaluable insights into prehistoric life. These remnants hold secrets from long-extinct creatures like ground sloths, providing scientists with clues about their diets and habitats. Across Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, two adventurous dung beetles conquer great heights as they perch atop their meticulously crafted ball of dung. Their teamwork symbolizes resilience and cooperation amidst challenging environments. Closer to home in Europe, the Dor beetle finds sustenance on cow dung in Bedfordshire UK. This industrious insect reminds us that even seemingly unappealing substances can serve as nourishment for various species within our diverse ecosystems. Delving into mythology takes us to Tibet where tales speak of mice who revere the sacredness due to its vital role in agricultural practices. It serves as a reminder that every culture has unique perspectives on nature's wonders. On an amusing note, someone boldly holds a pile of poop in their hand – perhaps highlighting society's fascination with bizarre curiosities or simply showcasing humor through unconventional means. Nature never ceases to surprise us; even vibrant bird species like yellow wagtails and northern wheatears find sustenance by feeding on insects attracted to fresh piles of animal droppings. These birds demonstrate adaptability while reminding us that life thrives even where we least expect it. Dung may not be the most glamorous topic, but it is undeniably essential.