No, but it does have horns—five of them—that look like tusks. The elephant beetle is a member of the scarab family, and it is one of the largest beetles in the world. It uses its horns to defend its food source, which is the flowing sap from wounds in tree limbs.

The elephant beetle lives in the rain forests of Central and South America. The heat and moisture there help produce the largest beetles in the world. Other large-horned beetles from the tropics include the rhinoceros beetle, the Atlas beetle, and the Hercules beetle. These last two are named for a Greek god and a Greek hero, both known for their great strength.

The supersized Goliath beetle of Africa is the world’s heaviest insect. This beetle can weigh as much as 3 1/2 ounces (99 grams) or more. This beetle is named for the giant in the Bible who was killed in battle by the shepherd boy David.

Like the giant Goliath, the Goliath beetle is big and awkward. When this beetle flies, it has a hard time staying airborne in rough weather. It twists and turns its legs while flying to keep its balance. This action is similar to the way a top spins to remain upright.

Stag beetles have horns like Goliath beetles, but they are set on either side of the head. The horns look like the antlers of a stag, a male deer. They are actually the beetle’s mandibles (MAN duh buhlz), or jaws. The antlers of some beetles are almost as long as their bodies.

Stag beetles use their antlers to fight other males for females. The males lock horns to see which is the stronger beetle. The winner often tosses its rival into the air. Then the winner may carry off the female as its prize. Only a few stag beetles can use their mandibles to pinch or bite. The others are harmless to humans.

Desert beetles are well adapted to their hot, harsh environment. They are wingless and unable to fly. To get away from the hot sun, they dive deep into the sand. Below the surface there is more moisture. There are also cooler temperatures. When the sun sets, the desert cools down, and the desert beetles pop out of the sand. Then they begin their nightly hunt for food.

Some desert beetles have arched elytra. There is a space inside for air. This air pocket helps protect them from the heat.

This Namibian (nuh MIHB ee uhn) desert beetle of southern Africa has long, stiltlike legs. When the sand gets hot, the beetle rises up on its legs. This keeps its body as far away from the hot sand as possible.

People have found many uses for beetles. Ladybugs and other beetles are important pest controls for plant-eating insects. Jewel beetles and weevils get rid of fast-growing weeds. The beetles lay eggs on the weeds, and their larvae eat away at it.

Beetle shapes and designs are used in the jewelry that is popular in many parts of the world. The bodies and elytra of dead beetles have themselves been made into jewelry. In Mexico, live beetles are decorated with glass beads, fastened to small chains, and actually pinned to a person’s clothing.

Some people, however, would rather eat beetles than wear them. In parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia, beetles and beetle larvae are favorite foods.

Beetles do far more to protect the environment than most people imagine. They are excellent recyclers. Beetles bury dead animals and plant material. By doing this, beetles help enrich the soil.

Tumblebugs and other dung beetles remove animal dung from the earth’s surface. This increases pastureland and prevents disease from spreading from flies and other insects that lay eggs in the dung.

As land becomes developed, some beetles are losing the forests and waterways they live in. Predators such as rats and birds eat other beetles into extinction. In turn, the beetles that live on the dead bodies of certain animals have no food to eat when these animals disappear from their habitat.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was set up to protect all endangered animals, including beetles. Twelve species of beetles are protected by the ESA in the United States, including the northeastern beach tiger beetle. Any person who harms one of these beetles or its habitat can be fined or arrested.

But this kind of protection is often not enough. Some endangered beetles are raised in laboratories. Later, they may be released back into the wild.