Animals live in different habitats. There are animal habitats above ground. There are animal habitats in water. There are even animal habitats that are underground.
A mole is an animal that lives underground. They are famous for doing what they do best: digging. Moles are expert diggers. Moles dig underground to make long tunnels that connect to their den. They have curved paws with long claws that they use like shovels. Moles have terrible eyesight. They're not blind, but they are colourblind. Moles do, however, have a great sense of smell. They use their sense of smell to find their way around.
This is a European mole. It is the only mole species that we know are venomous. They use their venom to paralyze their prey. They store their food underground to eat in the winter.
Moles are sometimes a problem for people. They love to dig holes so you can find mole holes everywhere. This can be dangerous when you're walking. Mole holes can be dangerous for animals, too. Be careful when you're walking in areas where moles live.
An earthworm is an animal that lives underground. Worms are important for our soil and our gardens. There are more than 6,000 types of worms in the world. What kinds of worms live near your home? Worms are great gardeners. They build tunnels under the soil. As they move through the tunnels, they push air around. This helps make the soil fresh and full of nutrients. Moles love to eat earthworms. It is easy for moles to find them because they both live underground.
This is a badger. Badgers are nocturnal animals that live in a sett. A sett is a kind of burrow. Badgers create tunnels to get to their sett. Badgers have terrible eyesight like moles. They use their sense of smell, and hearing more than they use their eyes. They have acute hearing.
Rabbits and hares live in warrens. Warrens are underground homes similar to a burrow, or sett. Warrens are made by digging interconnecting tunnels. Most underground dwellers make tunnels and connect them together. The tunnels lead to different spaces.
Many underground animals are nocturnal so we rarely see them. They spend most of their lives in their underground homes. If you want to see one of these animals you have to be very patient. Which underground animal would you like to see the most?