Beneath the grass, soil, and landscaping of many yards lies a hidden world most people never see. While homes and neighborhoods appear quiet on the surface, a network of tunnels, dens, and burrows may be active just below.
Burrowing animals play important roles in ecosystems, shaping soil health, influencing plant growth, and supporting other wildlife. Understanding who’s living underground — and why — helps explain many of the subtle signs people notice in their yards and neighborhoods.
Why Animals Burrow
Burrowing offers animals critical survival advantages.
Underground spaces provide:
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Protection from predators
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Insulation from temperature extremes
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Safe places to raise young
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Secure storage for food
For many species, life below ground is safer and more stable than life above it.
Common Burrowing Animals in the U.S.
Moles: Engineers of the Soil
Moles spend nearly their entire lives underground. Their powerful forelimbs allow them to dig extensive tunnel systems while searching for insects and earthworms.
Though rarely seen, their tunneling activity helps:
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Aerate soil
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Improve water movement
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Mix organic material
Their presence often reveals itself through raised ridges or small mounds.
Groundhogs: Seasonal Diggers
Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs dig large burrows with multiple chambers. These burrows serve as shelter, nesting sites, and winter hibernation spots.
Groundhog burrows can extend several feet underground and may have multiple entrances, making them one of the more noticeable underground residents.
Skunks and Raccoons: Opportunistic Burrow Users
While not expert diggers like moles, skunks and raccoons often use existing burrows or dig shallow dens under structures.
These spaces offer:
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Protection during cold weather
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Safe nesting areas during breeding season
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Quiet locations away from disturbance
Their digging is usually related to shelter or foraging.
Rabbits: Shallow Shelter Seekers
Rabbits typically create shallow depressions rather than deep burrows, especially for nesting young. These hidden nests are often camouflaged with grass and fur.
This strategy protects young from predators while keeping them close to food sources.
Rodents: Tunnel Builders and Networkers
Mice, voles, and other small rodents create complex tunnel systems that allow them to move safely between feeding areas and shelter.
These underground networks:
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Reduce exposure to predators
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Help regulate body temperature
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Support rapid population growth
Rodent tunnels often connect multiple areas across a property.
How Burrowing Animals Shape the Environment
Burrowing activity plays an important ecological role.
It helps:
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Aerate compacted soil
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Improve drainage
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Redistribute nutrients
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Create habitat for insects and microorganisms
Many plants benefit from the soil changes caused by burrowing animals, even if surface signs seem disruptive.
When Underground Wildlife Becomes Noticeable
Burrowing animals often remain unseen until:
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Soil shifts or collapses
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Mounds or holes appear
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Vegetation changes
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Animals emerge during dawn or dusk
Seasonal changes, breeding cycles, and weather events can all increase surface activity.
Urban Environments and Underground Wildlife
Urban and suburban landscapes provide plenty of underground opportunities.
Animals are drawn to:
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Soft, irrigated soil
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Landscaped yards
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Foundations and crawl spaces
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Retaining walls and sheds
These features unintentionally mimic natural burrowing conditions.
Why Understanding Burrowing Wildlife Matters
Recognizing the presence of underground wildlife helps:
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Reduce confusion or fear
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Explain changes in soil or vegetation
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Understand seasonal animal behavior
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Appreciate hidden ecosystems beneath our feet
Not every hole or tunnel signals a problem — often, it’s simply nature doing what it’s always done.
Final Thoughts
Life beneath the surface is busy, complex, and essential. Burrowing animals quietly shape the environment in ways most people never notice, supporting soil health and broader ecosystems.
The next time you see a mound, hole, or subtle change in your yard, remember: there may be an entire underground world at work below — unseen, but very much alive.
Got Wildlife or Pests?
If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildilfexteam.com for more information.
Thanks!
-Wildlife x Team International