Many animals have adapted to live underground in various habitats, often burrowing to create shelters or nests. Here are seven examples of animals that live underground.
Moles: Moles are small mammals with powerful forelimbs and specialized digging claws that enable them to create extensive tunnel systems underground. They primarily feed on earthworms and insects found in the soil.
Gophers: Gophers are rodents that excavate elaborate burrow systems underground. They are known for their large cheek pouches and are primarily herbivorous, feeding on roots, tubers, and other plant material.
Badgers: Badgers are carnivorous mammals known for their digging prowess. They create extensive burrow systems called setts, which they use for shelter, nesting, and raising young. Badgers are skilled hunters and feed primarily on small mammals, insects, and other prey found underground.
Ants: Ants are social insects that live in underground colonies. They excavate tunnels and chambers in the soil, where they raise their brood, store food, and maintain their nests. Ant colonies can vary in size from a few individuals to millions of individuals, depending on the species.
Prairie Dogs: Prairie dogs are social rodents that live in large underground colonies called towns. They excavate elaborate burrow systems with multiple entrances and chambers, where they live in family groups and communicate through a complex system of vocalizations.
Naked Mole Rats: Naked mole rats are unique rodents that live in underground colonies resembling those of social insects. They are highly adapted to life underground, with large incisors for digging, a lack of fur, and the ability to tolerate high levels of carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels.
Burrowing Owls: Burrowing owls are small owls that nest underground in abandoned burrows created by other animals, such as prairie dogs or ground squirrels. They are primarily nocturnal hunters and feed on insects, small mammals, and other prey found in their habitat.