fossorial

fossorial [fo-sawr-ee-uh l, -sohr-] ExamplesWord Origin adjective Zoology.

1. digging or burrowing.
2. adapted for digging, as the hands, feet, and bone structure of moles, armadillos, and aardvarks.

Origin of fossorial 1830–40; Late Latin fossōri(us) adapted to digging (equivalent to Latin fod(ere) to dig + tōrius -tory1, with dt > ss) + -al1 Related formssub·fos·so·ri·al, adjective Examples from the Web for fossorial Historical Examples of fossorial

Fossorial: formed for or with the habit of digging or burrowing.

Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology

John. B. Smith

Evolution within the Dikkomyini resulted in the acquisition and perfection of fossorial adaptations.

Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae

Robert J. Russell

Aard-varks feed on animal substances; and are terrestrial and fossorial in habits.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10

Various

The moist soil and litter on the forest floor is an important microhabitat for fossorial and strictly terrestrial species.

A Distributional Study of the Amphibians of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico

William E. Duellman

In the savannas Rhinophrynus dorsalis, Engystomops pustulosus, and Gastrophryne usta are fossorial species.

A Distributional Study of the Amphibians of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico

William E. Duellman

British Dictionary definitions for fossorial fossorial adjective

1. (of the forelimbs and skeleton of burrowing animals) adapted for digging
2. (of burrowing animals, such as the mole and armadillo) having limbs of this type

Word Origin for fossorial C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig