When you dig the ground under the twigs and leaves of a muddy floor you may find a slimy brown earthworm. Some animals like earthworms live underground for all or much of the time. Living underground has many advantages, including protection from some predators, from extreme temperatures (both hot and cold), and from overly dry climates. Many animals also hunt underground for food such as tubers, roots, other plant material, worms, grubs, insects, insect eggs, and larvae.
Some animals like moles and earthworms spend their entire lives underground. Others, like the prairie dog, spend some time below ground and some time above ground. Some animals spend a portion of their life cycle underground (for example, some insect larvae).
Fossorial means relating to burrowing or living underground. Fossorial animals are adapted to living underground. Aardvarks, armadillos, and moles are fossorial animals.
Directions: Answer the following questions. Write about the underground habitat in your own words.
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