A well decomposed seal carcass on the beach. The rove beetle Atheta novaescotiae occurs on the upper areas of the beach in accumulations of driftwood, seaweed, dead fish, seabirds, and other organic flotsam. In addition to beachcast materials, the rove beetle is found in and under birds and seals that have died on the beach, and in horse manure deposited along the shoreline. Along with other organisms, including other beetle species, the rove beetles feed on and help decompose such organic debris.