Burying beetles use carrion (dead animals) to feed their young. After they locate a carcass, they transport it and bury it in a suitable spot. They lay their eggs on or near the carcass, then subsequently raise the young grubs there. Adults feed the young until they can eat on their own.

This parental behavior is rare among beetles, although attentive parenting is common in bees, wasps, ants, termites and some other kinds of insects.