5 Animals With Superpowers Way Cooler Than X-Men

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published August 3, 2014

Updated February 5, 2018

Dung Beetle

Big things come in small packages Source: Insecte

It might not have the most flattering name in the world, but super strength is the definitive superpower and the dung beetle has it (and how!). The insect gets a bad rap due to its choice of food (which is obvious from its name), but the dung beetle possesses so many other interesting qualities more important than its taste in grub. Among them is the dung beetle’s ability to carry things many, many times larger heavier than itself.

Dung beetles come in a variety of colors Source: FSD 2010

This is a trait shared by all dung beetle species, but Orthophagus Taurus is the undisputed champion. It can pull up to 1,141 times its own body weight. Imagine a human being able to pull a double-decker bus filled with people…and then combine it with another five buses! That is the strength of this little guy who is, pound for pound, the most powerful creature in the animal kingdom.

Place your bets Source: Pic Photos

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.