Meet the (Burying) Beetle

The “burying beetle” doesn’t bring his love flowers or candy; he finds a carcass for her.
If the female finds the dead body acceptable, she’ll mate with her suitor and lay her eggs on the carcass. The pair then bury the body, guarding and feeding their growing brood. Larger carcasses supply space to more offspring. But if the body is too small, the parents will eat some of their young, ensuring enough space for the remaining larvae.
After 1-2 weeks, the larvae disperse to complete their development. They pupate for ~two months and then prepare for winter.
And their doting parents? Caring for young takes its toll. They’ll die after their young have left “home”.

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