Scientists capture exploding beetles' amazing escapes from toads' stomachs
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#3F91Y)
Bombardier beetles observed causing audible toxic explosions inside toads stomachs causing them to vomit their lunch to freedom
The toad's reaction to the explosion deep in its stomach is not instantaneous. But in time the body shakes, the mouth opens, and the culprit is expelled: a mucus-covered beetle that will live to fight another day.
Japanese scientists captured footage of the great escape during lab tests that pitted the walking powder kegs that are bombardier beetles against hungry toads of different species and sizes. So effective were the beetle's defences against being eaten alive that even the researchers were taken aback.