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Why isn't the world covered in poop? - Eleanor Slade and Paul Manning

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16,694 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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Each day, the animal kingdom produces roughly enough poop to match the volume of water pouring over Victoria Falls. So why isn’t the planet covered in the stuff? You can thank the humble dung beetle for eating up the excess. Eleanor Slade and Paul Manning explain how these valiant insects make quick work of an endless stream of feces.

Dung beetles are capable of burying up to ______ their own body weight in dung.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Eleanor Slade, Paul Manning
  • Director Anton Bogaty
  • Script Editor Elizabeth Cox
  • Animator Anton Bogaty
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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