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Eleodes obscurus
1 1/8" long, black with ridges on the wing covers. This big beetle elevates its rear end when disturbed, nearly standing on its head. Other names are Darkling Beetle and Pinacate Beetle, but the Pinacate Beetle may be smoother.
Sagebrush/bunchgrass, rocky High Desert of southern Idaho.
As a kid, we used to crouch over these and squeal "eeeeeeeeeeeeee", to make them stand on their heads, a great diversion for a little kid. I'm not sure if my second photo is mating behavior or aggression.
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