How the Rhinoceros Beetle Got Its Horns A rhinoceros beetle
shows off its antler-like horn. CREDIT: Douglas Emlen Sporting a
horn on your head two-thirds the length of your body might seem
like a drag. For the rhinoceros beetle, though, massive head-
weapons are no big deal. Turns out, pitchfork-shaped protrusions
on the heads of rhinoceros beetles don't slow them down during
flight, new research shows. The findings may explain why the
beetles' horns are so diverse and elaborate, said study
researcher Erin McCullough, a doctoral student at the University
of Montana. "Because the horns don't impair the beetles' ability
to fly, they might be unconstrained by natural selection,"
McCullough told LiveScience, referring to the evolutionary
process that weeds out weak traits while passing on advantageous
ones. The finding would clear up a rhinoceros beetle mystery.
Male rhinoceros beetles (there are more than 300 species) are
known for their huge horns, some of which can exceed the length
of the rest of the beetle's