[Fleur]

Came across this little guy the other day - he heard us all coming and went into a defensive pose

Once he thought we had passed he scuttled off with his tail down

 

[startru]

Looks like a devils coach horse to me x

Devil's Coach-Horses - Staphylinus olens - UK Safari

 

[simplysardonic]

Agree with Startru, devil's coach horse. They can get quite big, I think they're impressive insects

 

[hawksport]

Agree with Startru, devil's coach horse. They can get quite big, I think they're impressive insects

I've got big ones in the aviaries that eat left overs

 

[Fleur]

Thanks guys - he was facinating and ran away very fast once he thought we'd gone.
I would think he was just over an inch long.
Glad he didn't feel threatened enough to spay us with something smelly - probably a good job the dogs didn't notice him.

 

[simplysardonic]

Thanks guys - he was facinating and ran away very fast once he thought we'd gone.
I would think he was just over an inch long.
Glad he didn't feel threatened enough to spay us with something smelly - probably a good job the dogs didn't notice him.

You should see the Bombardier beetle, they have an impressive defense mechanism that both stinks & burns!