Sexton/burying beetle

6452. I noticed my cat trying to get on the window ledge and that’s when I saw thing. I have no idea what it is and it’s the first time I saw this in my house. I hope that it’s not poisonous since I do have small children and animals. Range Road 272, Spruce Grove, Alberta. Canada

Number 6452.  This is a sexton/burying beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae; Nicrophorus sp.), possibly Nicrophorus tomentosus, known as the tomentose burying beetle. These are harmless, and perform a valuable service in finding and burying small mammal and bird carcasses that then serve as food for their larvae.