Brachinus crepitans is a species of ground beetle in the Brachininae subfamily that can be found in Europe, central Asia, the Middle East, and northern Africa.

The inland locations have been sited as well through, the most recent of which are Cotswolds and Northamptonshire where it was discovered in limestones.

It was also found in boulder clay in Huntingdonshire, and in Brotheridge Green, an old railway line and wildlife reserve that was located near Malvern, Worcestershire.

Since one of the glands contains hydrogen peroxide and the other hydroquinone, when two the contents mix with enzymes in a "firing chamber", the liquid explodes, and harms the attackers.

It can also be found in calcareous grasslands, arable land, and chalk quarries.