Amazing Animals: The Rhinoceros Beetle

Amazing Animals: The Rhinoceros Beetle

Bible Blast: Read Isaiah 40:28-31

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 40:29

If you have never seen a rhinoceros beetle in real life, you have to find a picture of one because they are one of the funkiest beetles around. The rhinoceros beetle gets its name from the big horn most of the males have on the top of their heads. I guess the beetles kind of look like rhinos.

If you ever see one of these bugs in person—and not just in a picture—it will probably make you scream at the top of your lungs. Some of them are more than two inches long, and their horns can be very intimidating. If you ever come across two fighting, don’t worry. It’s just two guys fighting over a cute “girl” rhinoceros beetle. But since you’re not another rhino beetle competing for the cute girl, you don’t have to worry. They are completely harmless to people.

Here’s what I think is amazing about these beetles: They are without question the strongest creature alive! Even the biggest, strongest elephant isn’t as strong as the rhinoceros beetle.

How can that be?

Let’s compare the elephant to the rhino beetle. An elephant can carry about 25 percent of its weight. So if a female African elephant weighs 1,000 pounds, she can carry about 250 pounds. The rhinoceros beetle can carry up to 850 times its weight. That’s like your mom carrying thirty-two cars on her back!

God doesn’t just give strength to beetles. He gives strength to us, too. If you ever feel like you’re not strong enough to do the right thing or to finish a project or to run one more lap in gym class, ask your heavenly Father for strength. Philippians 4:13 says very plainly that we can do anything with Christ’s strength. His strength never runs out, and nothing will ever beat it. If Jesus is in your heart, then his strength is something you can always depend on.

Girl Gab: First, look for a photo of a rhinoceros beetle on the Internet. If you had one as a pet, what would you name it? (Mom, you answer that question too!) Ask God to strengthen you both for everything you have to do today.