The World's Strongest Creature announced

A species of horned dung beetle able to lift 1,141 times its own body weight has been named the world's strongest creature.

The load shifted by the beetle - scientific name Onthophagus Taurus - is the equivalent of a human pulling six full double-decker buses.

Scientists say the staggering strength is down to the bugs' sex habits.

The female of the species digs tunnels under a dung pat to lay their eggs and mate.

Insects are well known for amazing feats of strength and it is all on account of curious sex lives.

Dr Rob Knell, from the University of London, said: "If a male enters a tunnel occupied by a rival, they fight by locking horns and try to push each other out."

Dr Knell's team tested males' ability to overpower love rivals.

Researchers mocked up fighting scenarios and measured the force needed to drag male beetles from their holes.

Pulling on a thread attached to each bug caused it to brace its legs against the tunnel as if in battle.

Dr Knell added: "Insects are well known for amazing feats of strength and it is all on account of curious sex lives."

The findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.


/Sky News/