 Like the front legs of other beetles of its genus, but unlike those of dung beetles in most other genera, the front legs of "Scarabaeus sacer" are unusual; they do not end in any recognisable tarsus, the foot that bears the claws.There is only a vestigial claw-like structure that might be of some assistance in digging.The mid- and hind-legs of "Scarabaeus" have normal, well-developed 5-segmented tarsi, but the front legs are specialised for excavation and for forming balls of dung.