Though the landscape in the Serengeti is stunning when it rains, the eruption of life that follows the first rains is great if you happen to be a mongoose, a civet cat or a stork. However, if you happen to be one of the few human residents it might just be a tiff less attractive.
The unfathomable numbers of beetles that suddenly appear from underground, remarkably display the abundance of life here. During the day, their presence is unheard of, but with a drop of rain, they disclose their secret hiding spots.

Researchers have found that the biomass underground is six times greater than all the four legs creatures (over two million of them!) above ground – an astonishing, but, at this time, believable statistic.

The beetles creep their way out of wet earth, cracks and crevices, covering every inch of territory and flocking together at every lamp, headlight or torch. Though it makes reading at night an unpleasurable past time, I am just as content, sitting back and watching them pile atop on another.
The sound of the beetles is nearly louder than the local airport in Seronera. In fact, at times we mistake their fluttering wings for small aircraft

It is a battle. We must shut all windows at dusk, aware that every light turned on is only asking for a mess of beetles.
From inside, the sound of beetles on the windows is like dozens of birds hitting the glass. They offer a never-ending dessert for birds, mongoose, and other animals that feed on their tiny bodies. And for staff at FZS, they offer evening entertainment. Just imagine lying in bed - reading and thousands of small creatures trying to share the bed with you!
Beetle mania is on!

previous post

back to overview

next post