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Have you ever wondered about the number of animals that exist under our feet? There are many subterranean animals, that is, those that live underground and that only come to the surface on rare occasions. They are animals that over time have adapted to the lack of light and oxygen. In this very particular ecosystem you can basically find fungi, microscopic animals, bacteria, reptiles, insects and mammals.
If you want to know more about the edaphic fauna, be sure to read this interesting article by Ecologist Verde on the animals that live underground and in which, in addition, we will tell you curiosities such as why moles live underground.
Camel spider
Although it is popularly called the camel spider, it is not really a true spider. Are solifugal (Solifugae) light or dark brown hairy, its body is divided into two regions: cephalothorax where the head is found, the chelicerae, the somites and the pedipalps; and the segmented abdomen.
It's one of the animals that hide under the ground or the stones to avoid the sun and they are nocturnal animals, that is, during the day they are more hidden and during the night they are more active. They live in desert areas and are ferocious predators thanks to their chelicerae that allow them to cut prey into pieces to feed more easily.
Pink armadillo
Within the species of armadillo, the pink armadillo or also called Pampas pichiciego (Chlamyphorus truncatus) It is the smallest of all, since it is only scary between 7 cm and 11 cm long. It has a pink carapace, which covers its light fur.
It is a mammal that digs at night, in areas close to the ant hills. Furthermore, his ability to dig is also used when he feels threatened.
Slugs
Slugs are gastropod mollusks that do not have a shell and its body is elongated measuring between 1 and 15 cm, depending on the species. It is a nocturnal animal, although its activity is very marked by climatic conditions, being inactive and even being able to die at low temperatures, so they hide underground in frosty periods to protect yourself. They also need moisture to make mucus (essential for their movement and protection), also taking refuge in the subsoil in dry times.
Learn more about Mollusks: characteristics, types and examples by reading this other post.
Scorpions
Are poisonous animals The body is segmented into several metamers, with large clamps and a large stinger, where the venom vesicle is located, in the posterior region (opistosoma) of the body. They can be seen in areas of abundant vegetation or in arid areas, but they are animals that live under the stones, just below the surface of the ground or under logs during the day and are most active at night. Scorpions or scorpions mainly feed on spiders, insects and other small invertebrates.
Here you can meet 99 species or types of scorpions and how scorpions are born.
Ants
Ants are small insects that are found almost everywhere on the planet, but they are especially prevalent in tropical forests. Also, they are hypersocial living in organized communities undergroundAlso in burial mounds at ground level or on tree trunks, such as carpenter ants. The ants form anthills underground, this being their refuge. Anthills, in general, are made up of a system of tunnels, entrances, and mounds. Ants come out of their nests to collect food, they are omnivorous, consuming almost everything they find around them such as leaves, herbs, seeds, cereals, pieces of fruit, fungi and even carrion.
We encourage you to get to know them better by reading these posts on The importance of ants and How ants communicate.
Gerbil
The gerbil or gerbil of Mongolia is another of the mammals that live underground, is a small rodent similar to a mouse, with a body covered with hair and the presence of a long tail. It is found inhabiting dry and sandy areas of China and Mongolia. This rodent is nocturnal, since during the day it is in its burrow resting and protecting itself from the dangers of the outside; and at night it goes out in search of food, especially seeds and vegetables.
Worm
Earthworms have a soft, elongated body, have a vermiform morphology, and are divided into rings called metamers. They usually measure between 10 and 30 cm. Most of the worms develop their life cycle on earth, being also very beneficial for its fertility and its maintenance, thanks to the great excavating activity they have. Their excavating activity takes place during the day, while at night they go outside to explore the area. They feed on any substance of plant origin or biological rest that they find.
Moles
Moles are small animals with their bodies covered in dense, velvety fur, their eyes are very small and they hardly see, their limbs are short (specialized for burrowing) and their snout has a pointed shape. The moles are animals that live in tunnels that have been excavated by themselves, this system of tunnels together with many chambers is called a burrow. Here you can meet more Animals that live in burrows.
Many species of moles while digging pull the earth out, forming characteristic mounds on the surface. In general, the mole's diet is based on the ingestion of worms, although it also eats small reptiles, rodents, tubers and some fruits to complete its diet.
If you want to read more articles similar to Animals that live underground, we recommend that you enter our category of Animal Curiosities.
