Across the world, there are countless animals that have adapted to living underground. These burrowing animals have evolved specialized features to help them survive and thrive in their subterranean homes. From digging with their claws to breathing in limited oxygen, these creatures have developed amazing adaptations. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most impressive burrowing animals on the planet.
The Best Burrowing Animals in the World
- The Prairie Dog
These little rodents are known for their complex tunnel systems, which can be up to 30 feet deep and hundreds of feet long. Prairie dogs use their tunnels for everything from sleeping to escaping predators to storing food. They are truly masters of the underground world!Prairie dogs are highly social animals, living in large colonies called “towns”. Within these towns, prairie dogs have a complex social structure, with specific roles and communication systems. They use high-pitched barks to warn each other of danger and to share information about food sources. Prairie dogs also form close bonds with each other, grooming and playing together. - The North American Badger
This feisty little critter is well known for its burrowing skills. With strong front legs and sharp claws, a badger can dig a tunnel up to six feet deep and 30 feet long. They use these tunnels for sleeping, raising young, and hiding from predators. In addition to being expert burrowers, badgers are also ferocious predators, capable of taking down larger animals like deer and even young bears.One of the most interesting things about badgers is their relationship with other animals. In some parts of the world, badgers and coyotes have been observed forming cooperative hunting partnerships. The coyote chases down prey, while the badger digs it out of its burrow. It’s a win-win situation for both animals. Badgers also have a symbiotic relationship with bees, eating pests that would otherwise harm the bees’ hives. - The Naked Mole Rat
Now, this is one strange-looking animal. They have wrinkly pink skin, tiny eyes, and no visible ears. They’re also one of the few mammals that are eusocial, meaning they live in a highly organized society with a queen and worker castes. They live in vast underground networks, with some colonies reaching over a million individuals.The naked mole rat is also known for its incredible longevity, with some individuals living up to 30 years in captivity. - The Sand Boa
This snake lives in the deserts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where it burrows into the sand to find food and shelter. Sand boas have a unique method of burrowing, using their powerful tail muscles to propel themselves through the sand. When threatened, a sand boa can coil up and strike with incredible speed. They’re also known for their docile nature and are often kept as pets.One interesting thing about sand boas is their method of feeding. Unlike most snakes that swallow their prey whole, sand boas use their sharp, recurved teeth to cut their prey into small pieces. This allows them to digest their food more easily in the dry, arid environment where they live.Sand boas also have a unique way of breathing. They can close their nostrils to keep sand out, and they use their mouths to take in air while they’re underground.
- The Star-nosed Mole
This mole is found in eastern North America, where it lives in a variety of habitats, from wetlands to forests.The most distinctive feature of the star-nosed mole is its nose, which is covered in 22 pink, fleshy tentacles. These tentacles are super-sensitive, allowing the mole to detect prey by smell and touch. When it finds food, the mole uses its powerful claws to dig it up and scoop it into its mouth.Did you know, also, that the Star-nosed Mole is the fastest-eating mammal on Earth? It can identify, locate, and consume food in just 230 milliseconds. That’s faster than the blink of an eye!
The star-nosed mole is also a skilled swimmer, using its webbed feet to propel itself through the water. And get this – it can hold its breath for up to 18 minutes! These adaptations help the star-nosed mole survive in its wet, muddy environment.
The burrowing animals we have considered in this article have shown us that adaptation is key to survival. By modifying their bodies and behaviors to suit their environments, these animals have thrived in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. From the star-nosed mole to the sand boa, these creatures have truly captured our imagination
