How can a tiny beetle survive the crushing weight of a moving car?
In short: The Natural History Museum holds over 80 million specimens, including creatures with extraordinary physical resilience. This video explores the biology of an uncrushable beetle, examining how such small organisms withstand extreme pressure and what makes them a perfect example of toughness.
The Natural History Museum in London houses a vast collection of 80 million objects, ranging from dinosaur bones and giant squids to meteorites. In this episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, hosts Josh and Natalie collaborate with curatorial assistant Talay Namintraporn to investigate specimens that embody the concept of toughness.
Beyond the uncrushable beetle, the discussion touches on other biological marvels like chainmail snails and moss piglets, which are noted for their unique survival capabilities. The series aims to highlight the hidden science behind these specimens, questioning whether a single 'perfect' specimen can truly be defined among the museum's massive archives.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: This beetle can survive being run over by a car! | The 'Perfect' Specimen Ep23
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