Stag Beetle Throws Girlfriend Out Of Tree | Life | BBC Earth

Summary

A male beetle embarks on a challenging quest to find a female high up on a tall tree. The female, located 25 meters above, has smaller jaws suited for feeding, while the male requires large, uniquely shaped jaws for combat against rival males. These battles involve using his powerful jaws to grip and lift his opponent. After a tough fight, the male finally succeeds in reaching the female, using his jaws as a restraining cage. Despite his victory, the male's instinct to hurl and fight persists even after his success.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The male beetle starts his search for a female, who is likely to be on a tree trunk.
• 📏 The trees in this region are very tall, making his search potentially long and challenging.
• 🌲 The female beetle is 25 meters above him, near the top of the tree.
• 🍴 The female has normal-sized jaws used primarily for feeding, unlike the male's large jaws.
• 🦷 The male beetle needs immense jaws for fighting other males competing for the same female.
• 💪 Sheer strength is not enough in these battles; technique plays a crucial role in success.
• 🪶 The technique involves reaching over an opponent's head and hooking the jaws under his wing covers.
• 🤼‍♂️ After gaining a grip, the male must lift his opponent, which requires significant strength.
• 🏆 Beetle armor is strong, but the victorious male climbs up after bouncing his opponent away.
• 💑 Finally, the male reaches the female, but initially, she is not receptive to him.

Q & A

What is the male beetle searching for at the beginning of the script?

The male beetle is searching for a female, who is likely to be found on a tree trunk.

Why could the male beetle's search be difficult?

The search could be difficult because the trees in this part of the world are very tall, making it challenging to find the female.

Where is the female beetle located, and how far is she from the male?

The female beetle is located 25 meters above the male, near the top of the tree.

Why does the male beetle have immense jaws, and what are they used for?

The male beetle has immense jaws for fighting other males, as they are competing for the female.

What is the technique used by male beetles in battles with other males?

The technique involves reaching over the opponent's head and hooking their jaws under the opponent's wing covers to gain leverage.

Why are the male beetle's jaws long and oddly shaped?

The male's jaws are long and oddly shaped to give him an advantage in fights, allowing him to hook and lift his opponents.

What happens when the male beetle successfully grips his opponent?

Once the male beetle grips his opponent, he needs to lift him, which requires a lot of strength. After lifting, the opponent is usually bounced off, indicating the male's victory.

What does the winner beetle do after defeating his opponent?

The winning beetle climbs higher in the tree, where more males are waiting to challenge him.

What happens when the male beetle finally reaches the female?

When the male beetle finally reaches the female, she does not seem to be in the mood for mating, requiring him to use his jaws to restrain her.

What is the final outcome for the male beetle?

The male beetle eventually succeeds in mating with the female, although his tendency for hurling and fighting persists.