Bombardier beetles defend themselves by spraying a boiling, noxious chemical at predators. This defense mechanism involves a chemical reaction between two separate compounds, hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone, which are stored in separate compartments within the beetle's abdomen. When threatened, the beetle squirts these chemicals into a reaction chamber where they mix with enzymes, causing a violent exothermic reaction that generates heat and pressure. This pressure forces the boiling, irritat

Bombardier beetle defense mechanism against predators. Video courtesy of Amazing Nature on X. | Kerich Joseah