Ian took several photos of burying beetles with a dead mouse. I think the species is Nicrophorus tomentosus, in which case these insects will not actually bury the beetle, but, according to Bug Guide, will dig a shallow pit and cover it with leaves. Other species will actually bury their prey in the ground, quickly digging underneath the animal until it disappears into the hole and then covering it with the soil. I have watched them do this and it is incredible how quickly they can bury a small mammal. They are carrion eaters, not predators.
Please login or register.