It was first recorded by the zoologist Carl Linnaeus as Acrossus rufipes in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

The species was more recently considered a member of the genus Aphodius, but is now again classified as Acrossus rufipes.

It shares this name with a number of other species including the spider Sphodros rufipes.

This species feeds and breeds in various types of dung, and in the British Isles it is usually seen between the months of April and October.

During the daytime hours or under artificial light, it instinctively burrows into the nearest moist soil or preferably fresh dung.