Animals throughout the world dig holes and burrows–some to live in, others to search for food, and still others to keep cool or warm. Would you like to learn more about some of the animals that dig? Keep reading as we go through our top 10 list.
What You'll Learn Today
1. Beaver
Beavers are found in wetland areas throughout much of North America and parts of Europe and Asia. They are most commonly known for building dams, but they are also excellent diggers.
Beavers dig for many different reasons. They dig when creating dams to stop the water flow; dig burrows to live in and to escape from predators; and even dig canals to redirect the flow of water and move logs and branches from one place to another.
Beavers are such prolific diggers and architects that they have been referred to as ecosystem engineers.
2. Aardvark
Aardvarks are native to Africa, where they can be found living in various environments. Though they look similar to anteaters, they are not related to them.
Aardvarks dig when searching for food and creating the burrows they sleep in. They use their long, pig-like snouts and forelimbs to shovel the dirt away.
These creatures primarily eat ants and other insects, using their keen sense of smell to sniff them out before digging into their nests to retrieve them.
3. Prairie Dog
Prairie dogs live in grassland regions of North America. They can be found at elevations of 2,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level.
These small mammals are excellent diggers, creating burrows and tunnels to live in. They have sharp claws designed for digging and small, flexible bodies that allow them to scurry through their tunnels easily.
Temperatures in prairie dogs’ native environments can range from -35 to 100 degrees F. This makes their digging and burrowing skills important to their survival, as being able to tunnel underground enables them to escape the extreme temperatures.
4. Burrowing Owl
These unique birds live in parts of North and South America. While most owls live in trees or other above-ground structures, burrowing owls are notable for their digging skills.
Though burrowing owls often live in the burrows of other animals, they sometimes create their own as well. They maintain their burrows by using their beaks and talons to move dirt and sand.
Burrowing owls are also known for mimicking rattlesnake sounds when threatened in an effort to scare off predators. Check out the following video to learn more about this bizarre phenomenon:
5. Armadillo
There are 21 armadillo species, all of which are native to the Americas. These adorable creatures have sharp front claws designed for digging.
Armadillos dig burrows to sleep and take shelter in. They also dig when searching for food like grubs, worms, and underground insects.
When above ground, armadillos are noted for their jumping ability. They will often jump into the air before running off when startled.
6. Groundhog
Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks. They are large ground squirrels found throughout much of North America.
Groundhogs have sharp, curved claws, enabling them to dig quickly and efficiently. They are proficient diggers, creating networks of tunnels and burrows to live in.
These creatures’ digging habits help keep the soil aerated, promoting plant growth, and the burrows they abandon often serve as shelter for other small land-dwelling animals.
7. Gopher
There are more than 40 gopher species living in North and Central America. These mammals, which look similar to groundhogs, squirrels, or beavers, are notorious for their tunneling activities.
Gophers face many predators in the wild; they create tunnels and burrows for their own protection. The tunnels make it possible for them to search for food while limiting the risk of encountering predators.
Gophers also live in underground burrows they dig. They use these burrows to store large amounts of food.
8. Pangolin
Pangolins are found in Asia and Africa. The largest species is the giant pangolin, which can grow up to 39 inches long.
Some pangolins dig burrows to hide themselves from predators. They have strong front legs and sharp claws that make digging easy for them.
Pangolins may also dig in search of food. They have been known to excavate entire termite mounds, turning them into new burrows once they are empty.
9. Meerkat
Meerkats are a type of mongoose living in southern parts of Africa. They typically grow about a foot tall and weigh about two pounds.
Meerkats have strong, powerful claws that help them dig deeply into dry, hard, compact earth. They burrow deep into the ground to escape predators and survive in hot, dry climates.
Meerkats are social creatures, often living in packs of up to 30 individuals and creating intricate networks of tunnels and burrows.
10. Weasel
Weasels are generally small, predatory animals related to minks, ferrets, and stoats. They can be found throughout much of the world.
Weasels typically live underground in burrows they create. Their sharp claws and sleek body design help them dig and navigate complex burrow systems easily.
Weasels hunt a variety of small prey animals, saving the leftovers for later by storing them in caches they dig in their burrows.
Conclusion
Many different kinds of animals dig burrows, tunnels, and holes to search for food or create shelters for themselves. Some of these animals include armadillos, burrowing owls, beavers, gophers, and groundhogs.
