Here are 16 of the most popular animals that live underground and are known for their underground shelters and unique digging habits.
See how many of these you already knew lived underground and how many are completely new to you.
Mole – fossorial – spends most of its time underground Fennec foxes – spends hot desert days in burrows Dwarf mongoose – creates burrows near termite mounds Marmot – both live and hibernate in burrows Jerboa – live in desert burrows to escape the Bilby heat – live a solitary life mostly in a 6-foot burrowPika – dwell underground as an easier nesting option Prairie Dogs – live in complex networks of underground burrows Squirrel – dig two types of burrows for different uses Chinese Pangolin – use their burrows mainly for sleeping Nine-banded armadillo – digs several burrows for quick refuge Weasel – live in short, simple burrows with two entrances Wombat – can dig burrows up to a hundred feet long Pocket gopher – will share their tunnels with other animals Red foxes – dig their own burrow or modify abandoned burrows Burrowing owl – the only species of owl to live in a burrow
One such animal appears on our list of the 16 cutest animals.
Also, another figure on our list of animals that live in the desert.
Animals that live underground
Of course, there are varying degrees to which animals inhabit or spend time underground.
Those that live mainly but not permanently underground are considered fossorial animals and we have some examples of them here.
These little burrowing animals have big hands and sharp claws that allow them to dig swaths of underground tunnels with ease.
They can dig tunnels up to 15 to 18 feet within an hour that match their body width.
They are considered fossorial, meaning they spend a large part of their lives digging underground burrows for shelter.
Mainly found in the Sahara desert, fennec foxes are popularly kept as pets because of their unique and exotic appearance.
They live in dense underground shelters in deserts and build their burrows underground using their feet as shovels to dig up to 3 feet deep.
They usually sleep all day to avoid the most intense heat and sunlight, and their large ears also help them stay cool throughout the day.
Here are 34 Facts About Fennec Foxes You’ll Like, Too.
Along with our list of animals that live in the desert.
Known as the smallest species of mongoose, this animal is an underground dweller that mainly inhabits the eastern parts of the African continent.
They make their burrows underground in places where they can look for enough termite mounds.
Also known as the woodchuck and sometimes the North American ground squirrels.
These animals really like to dig to make shelters for themselves underground.
Ultimately, they can create a deep and extensive burrow system.
The groundhog burrow usually has a main entrance which can be identified by a large mound of excavated soil immediately outside the entrance hole.
Groundhogs dig their burrows for several meters and then slope the tunnel upwards for a few meters, creating a curved effect that leads to the entrance.
Why not check out our post on whether groundhogs hibernate in their burrows?
This is an extremely small rodent known for its ability to jump high on its long hind legs.
These spring-like legs help Jerboas jump distances of 10 feet in a single bound, which is a defensive feature used to escape predators.
They live underground in deserts and are nocturnal, so not much is known about this animal.
Here is a list of animals that live in deserts, including what types of deserts there are.
With bunny ears and hind legs like a kangaroo, bilbies are a unique species that live in Australia.
They live in underground burrows that can be up to 2 meters deep and rarely stray from them.
They grow to the size of a rabbit and live almost as solitary creatures their entire lives, which is both sad and fascinating at the same time.
Pika communicates using a unique hissing sound, so these animals are also called whistling hares.
The main reason they live underground is that they find it difficult to locate good nesting sites above ground.
The burrows they build underground are also used to store food for the winter.
The burrows that Pikas build contribute to soil quality and also reduce erosion.
Pikas also appear on our list of animals that live in the Tundra,
These subterranean inhabitants live in the grasslands of North America.
It is easy to identify their burrows by the mounds of earth left near the entrance.
Your underground shelters can be extremely complex and have 30 to 50 entrances and exits per acre.
Living in Asia and North America, these animals live underground in extensive burrows that can reach 3 meters in length.
They have cheek pouches that help them carry food to their burrows for storage.
They usually position their underground shelters close to man-made cover and dig two types of burrows.
Shallow burrows are dug to seek refuge while foraging during the day, and deeper, more complex burrows to store food and overwinter.
Just so you know, be sure to check out our squirrel vs ground squirrel article.
These subterranean denizens create their shelter by using their scaly bodies and feet to kick up dirt from the entrance.
Chinese pangolins sleep in their burrows, and in winter they move to new burrows dug near termite nests to facilitate food supplies during inclement weather.
Their burrows are deep and contain circular chambers for sleeping and nesting.
These underground dwellers are known to dig multiple burrows.
On average they can have at least 5 to 10 burrows hidden within a tunnel network.
Found mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, these subterranean animals dig burrows with two entrances.
Their burrows extend up to 3 meters in length.
They locate their underground shelters among tall grass and dense underground.
In some cases, weasels can also take over other animals’ burrows and make them their own.
These animals have large, powerful claws and feet to help them dig efficiently.
They can dig up to 3 feet of soil overnight.
Their dens usually have several rooms and chambers, including one for sleeping.
Their burrows can be up to 9 to 90 feet (3-30 m) long and up to 11 feet (3.5 m) deep.
Furthermore, these burrows can even be big enough for a small person to crawl through.
Check out these 20 Amazing Facts About Wombats.
Pocket squirrels are fossorial rodents known for their underground tunnels with multiple burrow chambers.
These underground animals are generous and also share their tunnel with other animals.
red foxes
Foxes have been known to dig burrows to give birth, raise young, store food or find shelter from the rain.
Red foxes dig their own underground burrows or modify burrows abandoned by other subterranean animals.
Additionally, red fox burrows can extend from 10 to 20 feet deep.
Larger burrows can have between 3-8 entrances and contain numerous cavities, each of which will serve a specific function, such as food storage and sleeping area.
burrowing owl
Surprisingly, there is a specific type of owl that lives underground.
Known for its stunning appearance, the burrowing owl is a type of owl that likes to invade and establish its roosts in underground burrows that were previously built and used by other animals.
They often use burrows previously dug by animals such as skunks and prairie dogs.
They can also dig their own burrows underground, which can reach depths of 2.5 meters.
Unlike many other types of owls, burrowing owls are active during the day.
Animals that live underground – more wildlife helps!
We hope this has given you some in-depth knowledge about common animals that live underground.