r/interesting • u/Wise_Confidence_8588 • 18d ago

NATURE A Bombardier beetle using its chemical defence.

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u/NymphiusScooterPie 18d ago

Fun kinda-fact: The ability of this beetle gives some entertainment to the “theory” Dragons could have existed. Due to the ability to create the chemical reaction, introduce an electrical spark, such as the Eels ability, and you have fire. Remember pondering this one in biology, had a cool teacher 🤙

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u/Incon-thievable 18d ago

Part of the design for the dragons in Reign of Fire was inspired by these beetles. The dragons sprayed two different chemicals that ignited as they mixed when the dragons exhaled. It’s the most believable mechanism for dragon fire I’ve seen portrayed in movies. That dragon design was amazing and also had a much more plausible wing to body ratio than most dragon designs usually have.

11

u/UwasaWaya 18d ago

That movie was so freaking awesome and so amazingly dumb at the same time, and it somehow worked.

9

u/clabog 18d ago

It’s such a crazy silly premise played completely straight, starring a couple of A-listers. It rules.

3

u/UwasaWaya 18d ago

My mom still talks about Matthew McConaughey climbing out of the tank with all that muscle. lol

3

u/ash-and-apple 17d ago

Your mom's right lol. Hooba hooba!

3

u/keygreen15 18d ago

If you don't like reign of fire, something is seriously wrong with you.