Bombardier beetle — printable fact sheet

Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.

Download PDF

Creature Atlas

Animal Fact Sheet

Name: ____________________

Date: ____________________

Bombardier beetle

Brachinus crepitans

The Bombardier beetle is a remarkable insect known for its unique chemical defense mechanism. When threatened, it ejects a hot, noxious chemical spray from its abdomen to deter predators, producing a popping sound and a visible cloud. These beetles are typically small, measuring…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Carabidae

Habitat

Forest floor and grassland under stones and leaf litter

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

2-3 years

Weight

0.02–0.05 grams

Scientific name

Brachinus crepitans

Did you know?

The chemical spray released by Bombardier beetles can reach temperatures of nearly 100°C (212°F), which is the boiling point of water.
Bombardier beetles can spray their hot chemical defense up to 20 times in quick succession. Their defense system has inspired scientific research in chemistry and engineering due to its precision and effectiveness.

What I learned

Draw the bombardier beetle

Want the whole set?

Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.

Browse printable packs

Get a free printable each week

Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.