Scarabaeus sacer, commonly known as the sacred scarab beetle, is a species of dung beetle found primarily in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. It is easily recognized by its glossy black body and distinctive shape. This beetle plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling animal waste, which helps to enrich the soil. In ancient Egyptian culture, the sacred scarab was revered as a symbol of transformation and rebirth. The beetle's behavior of rolling dung into balls, which it uses for food and breeding, inspired the Egyptians to associate it with the sun god Ra, who was believed to roll the sun across the sky.