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Meerkat -

A member of the mongoose family found in Africa, the playful meerkat is often seen standing bolt upright outside its den, forever on the lookout for predators. Home can be in rock crevices in stony areas and in large burrow systems across arid, open plains.

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Pika -

Native to cold climates, mostly in Asia, North America, and parts of Eastern Europe, the pika is a diminutive mountain-dwelling mammal that's known as the "whistling hare" for its high-pitched alarm call when scurrying into its burrow in fright.

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Jerboa -

Huge ears and long bandy legs characterize this cute-looking desert rodent. Its sinewy hind quarters allow the jerboa to run at up to 24 km/p (15 mph). Solitary in nature, they usually have their own dens rather than sharing a communal burrow.

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Greater bilby -

This small, burrowing, nocturnal, long-eared mammal belongs to a group of vulnerable ground-dwelling marsupials known as bandicoots. Native to Australia, the greater bilby used to have a cousin, the lesser bilby. Sadly, this species is thought to have become extinct in the 1950s.

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Mongoose -

Widespread across southern Europe, Africa, and Asia, and numbering several species, the mongoose is a small, terrestrial, carnivorous mammal that lives in burrows and has a particular taste for serpents. Pictured is the dwarf mongoose.

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Burrowing owl -

As its name suggests, this saucer-eyed bird makes its home in burrows across the open landscapes of North and South America, usually those excavated by prairie dogs. There are a considerable number of subspecies of the burrowing owl, but it is endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico.

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Fennec fox -

Native to the Sahara Desert and the Sinai Peninsula, this small fox is recognized for its unusually large ears and super sensitive hearing, which it uses to pinpoint prey underground. A fennec fox digs its den in sand, and this den can feature up to 15 different entrances.

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Groundhog -

Also known as a woodchuck, this industrious rodent is a member of the marmot family. Intelligent and social, the critter works cooperatively to solve tasks such as burrowing.

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Mole -

Born with tiny inconspicuous ears and eyes, but short, powerful forelimbs with large paws complete with extra thumbs adapted for serious digging, the mole was made to live underground. Furthermore, it is able to survive in low-oxygen environments such as burrows by re-breathing its own expired air.

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Ground squirrel -

Unlike their agile tree-climbing cousins, ground squirrels tend to keep their feet on the ground. They also tend to be far more gregarious than other squirrels, and take pride in excavating enormous burrows to accommodate large families. Interestingly, a ground squirrel has a remarkable ability to rise up on its hind legs and stand fully upright comfortably for prolonged periods.

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Prairie dog -

Spotted regularly across the grasslands of North America and Mexico, the prairie dog is, in fact, a type of ground squirrel. They are expert diggers, and need to be. These rodents live mainly at altitudes ranging from 610 m (2,000 ft) to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) above sea level, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. A well-maintained and well-insulated burrow helps prairie dogs control their body temperature.

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Aardvark -

Okay, so maybe not the prettiest animal on this list, but the aardvark is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, its cousins having died out long ago. A native of Africa, this relative of the anteater uses its formidable claws and powerful legs to dig out tasty ants and termites, and also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.

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Badger -

All badgers shelter underground, living in burrows known as setts. Dens can be modest or extensive, depending on whether the animal has chosen to live alone or as part of a clan, or cete. Pictured is the European badger.

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Chipmunk -

These adorable-looking striped rodents are found in North America and some parts of Asia. Light and agile, chipmunks construct deep extensive burrows with several well-concealed entrances. Some species hibernate in their dens over winter. Others don't, relying on their stash of stored goodies to get them through the cold season.

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Coypu -

The coypu, also known as the nutria, is a large semiaquatic rodent originally native to subtropical and temperate South America. However, since its introduction to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa by fur farmers, the animal is considered an invasive species. They are found most commonly in freshwater marshes and will either construct their own burrows, or occupy those abandoned by beaver, muskrats, or other animals.

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Desert tortoise -

This vulnerable species of tortoise is found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. A desert tortoise can live up to 80 years, and spends most of its time in burrows, rock shelters, and pallets to regulate body temperature and reduce water loss. It is at its most active after seasonal rains.

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Red fox -

Widely distributed throughout the world, the red fox is quite often seen in urban environments as much as in its preferred woodland habitat. Out of the breeding season, foxes favor living out in the open. When necessary, they will create a a burrow, which they divide into a permanent den and a temporary living space. By the way, did you know that red foxes have excellent hearing? They can hear low-frequency sounds and rodents digging underground.

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Kangaroo rat -

Native to arid areas of western North America, the kangaroo rat is so named for its incredibly long tail and big hind feet, and for its ability to leap like kangaroos. The San Quentin kangaroo rat was once thought extinct, but resurfaced in 2017 after having not been seen for 30 years. Small and nocturnal, these rodents are sensitive to extreme temperatures and remain in their burrows during rain storms and other forms of inclement weather.

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Wild rabbit -

Are you aware that the European rabbit has been introduced on every continent except Antarctica? That's an awful lot of bunnies! But did you also know that there are at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world? Wild rabbits live in groups, and all take turns to dig burrows. A group of burrows is called a warren.

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Sand dollar -

Surely the oddest creature on this list, the curious sand dollar is a species of flat, burrowing sea urchin sometimes known as a sea cookie. Sand dollars live in warm waters located along the Central and South America coasts. When threatened, it will burrow into the sand and remain hidden from sight from potential predators.

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Shrew -

The small, mole-like mammals known as shrews rank among some of the tiniest animals on the planet. Distributed almost worldwide, the shrew will often dig a burrow for catching food and hiding from predators, although this is not universal. Some species have adapted to living under snow. Pictured in Africa is an eastern rock elephant shrew.

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North American river otter -

Endemic to the North American continent, this species of otter is known to create burrows close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den is used for chilling out and raising a family.

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Gopher -

Busy and hyperactive, gophers are burrowing rodents notorious for their extensive tunneling activities, which doesn't endear this cuddly species to either gardeners or farmers.

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Agouti -

The agouti is related to the guinea pig, but is larger and has longer, more powerful legs. Native to Middle America, northern and central South America, and the southern Lesser Antilles, this rodent species conceals itself at night in hollow tree trunks or in burrows among roots.

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Marmot -

The heaviest member of the squirrel family, marmots are summertime mammals and like nothing better than to play and forage in flower-flecked mountain meadows or lowland grasslands. They typically live in burrows, where they will hibernate during long, cold winters.

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Mouse -

The name "mouse" applies to a number of small rodents all having soft gray or brown fur, long hairless tails, and large ears, like the yellow necked mouse pictured. There are numerous species out there, and in the wild they are known to build intricate burrows with long entrances equipped with dozens of escape tunnels.

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Common degu -

Endemic to central Chile, these highly sociable rodents live in burrows, and, by digging communally, are able to construct larger and more elaborate burrows than they could on their own. In fact, the more the merrier.

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Vole -

Another miniature member of the animal kingdom, the vole numbers 155 different species, including the bank vole (pictured). These small rodents possess excellent burrowing and tunneling skills, which is just as well, because many predators find the taste of vole simply irresistible.

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Puffin -

The other bird earning a place in this list is the puffin. Breeding in large colonies on the coastal cliffs or offshore islands of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, puffins have solved the housing shortage by burrowing into soft earth to build their nests. And when they can, a puffin will save on construction fees by moving into an empty rabbit burrow!

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Hedgehog -

These charming spiny mammals are primarily nocturnal, preferring to sleep for a large portion of the day under bushes, grasses, rocks, or most commonly in dens dug in the ground. Sadly, the once abundant British hedgehog is now officially classified as vulnerable to extinction.

Sources: (Canadian Wildlife Federation)  (Live Science) (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) (National Wildlife Federation) (Science Magazine) (Australian Museum) (Animal Corner) (British Hedgehog Preservation Society)

See also: The goofiest snouts in the animal kingdom

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