Here are 16 of the most popular animals that live underground, and are known for their underground shelters and unique burrowing habits.
See how many of these you already knew lived underground, and how many are completely new to you.
Mole – fossorial – spends almost all of its time underground Fennel fox – spends hot desert days in burrows Pygmy mongoose – makes burrows near termite mounds Groundhog – they both live and hibernate in burrows Jerboa – lives in desert burrows to escape the heat Bilby – lives mostly in solitude a 6 foot burrow Pika – live underground as an easier nesting option Prairie dogs – live in complex underground burrow networks Chipmunk – dig two types of burrows for different uses Chinese pangolin – use burrows mainly for sleeping Ni-banded armadillo – dig multiple burrows for quick refuge Wesel – live in simple short burrows with two entrances Wombat – can dig burrows up to ninety feet long Pocket gopher – will share their tunnels with other animals Red fox – dig their own burrow or modify abandoned burrows Burrowing owl – the only owl species that lives in a burrow
One of these animals is on our list of our 16 cutest animals.
Another one is also on our list of animals that live in the desert.
Animals that live underground
Naturally, there are varying degrees of which animals will stay or spend time underground.
Those that live primarily but not permanently underground are considered to be amphibians, and we have some examples of them here.
These small burrowing animals have large hands and sharp claws that allow them to dig up sections of tunnels underground with ease.
They can dig up to 15-18 foot tunnels within an hour matching their body width.
They are considered fossorial, meaning they spend much of their lives digging underground burrows for shelter.
Mostly found in the Sahara desert, fennec crabs are popularly kept as pets due to their unique and exotic appearance.
They live in dense underground shelters in deserts and build their burrows underground using their feet as shovels to typically 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 cool down throughout the day.
Here are 34 facts about Fennec foxes that you will also like.
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 mostly lives in the eastern parts of the African continent.
They make their underground burrows in places where they can find sufficient termite mounds.
Also known as wood chippers and sometimes the North American chipmunks.
These animals actually like to dig to make shelters for themselves underground.
They can eventually create a deep and extensive cavity system.
The groundhog burrow typically has one main entrance, which can be identified by a large mound of excavated soil just outside the entrance hole.
Groundhogs dig their burrows several meters in and then slope the tunnel upwards a few meters, creating an arched effect leading up 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, supported by its long hind legs.
These feather-like legs help Jerboas jump distances of 10 feet in a single bound, which is a defensive feature used to escape from predators.
They live underground in deserts and are nocturnal, so not much is known about this animal.
Here is a list of the animals that live in deserts, including what types of deserts exist.
Bilbies have rabbit-like ears and hind legs like a kangaroo, and are a unique species that lives in Australia.
They live in underground burrows that can be up to 6 feet deep, and they rarely move away from them.
They grow up to the size of a rabbit and live almost as solitary creatures all their lives, which is both sad and fascinating at the same time.
The pika communicates using a unique whistling sound, so these animals are also called the whistling hares.
The main reason why they live underground is that they find it difficult to find good nesting places above ground.
The burrows they build underground are also used to store food for the winter.
The burrows Pikas build contribute to the quality of the soil and also reduce erosion.
Pikas are also on our top list of animals that live in the Tundra,
These underground dwellers live in the grasslands of North America.
It is easy to identify their burrows from the mounds of earth left near the entrance.
Their underground shelters can be extremely complex and have as many as 30 to 50 entrances and exits per acre.
Native to Asia and North America, these animals live underground in extensive burrows that can grow up to 11 feet long.
They have cheek pouches that help them carry food to their burrows for storage.
They often place their underground shelters near man-made covers and dig two types of burrows.
Shallow burrows are dug for shelter while foraging during the day, and deeper and more complex burrows for storing food and spending the winter.
Just so you know, be sure to check out our chipmunk vs ground squirrel article.
These subterranean dwellers create their shelter by using their sloping bodies and feet to kick dirt out of the entrance.
Chinese pangolins sleep in their burrows, and in winter they move to new burrows dug near termite nests to make it easier to find food in the harsh 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 may have at least 5 to 10 burrows hidden inside a network of tunnels.
Found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, these subterranean animals dig burrows that have two entrances.
Their burrows extend up to 10 feet long.
They find their underground shelters among tall grass and thick undergrowth.
In some cases, weasels can also take over the burrows of other animals and make them their own.
These animals have powerful large claws and feet to help them dig efficiently.
They can dig up to 3 feet of soil in one night.
Their dens usually have different divisions and chambers, including one for sleeping.
Their burrows can be up to 9 to 90 feet (3-30 m) long and up to 11 (3.5 m) deep.
Additionally, these caves can even be large enough for a small person to crawl into.
Check out these 20 amazing facts about Wombats.
Pocket gophers are rock rodents known for their underground tunnels with various burrowing chambers.
These underground animals are generous and will share their tunnel with other animals as well.
Red fox
Foxes have been known to dig dens to give birth, raise their young, store food or find shelter from the rain.
Red foxes either dig their own underground burrows or modify burrows left by other underground animals.
Furthermore, red fox burrows can extend 10-20 feet deep.
Larger dens can have between 3-8 entrances and contain many excavated cavities, each of which will serve a specific function such as food store and sleeping place.
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 shelters in underground burrows previously built and used by other animals.
They often use the burrows previously dug by animals such as skunks and prairie dogs.
They can also dig their own burrows underground, which can be down to 8 feet deep.
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.