Burrow

For other uses, see Burrow (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with borough, borrow (disambiguation), or bureau (disambiguation).
An eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow

A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of shelter against predation and exposure to the elements, and can be found in nearly every biome and among various biological interactions. Many animal species are known to form burrows. These species range from small amphipods,[1] to very large vertebrate species such as the polar bear.[2] Burrows can be constructed into a wide variety of substrates and can range in complexity from a simple tube a few centimeters long to a complex network of interconnecting tunnels and chambers hundreds or thousands of meters in total length; an example of the latter level of complexity, a well-developed burrow, would be a rabbit warren.

  1. ^ Jones, S. E.; Jago, C. F. (1993-01-01). "In situ assessment of modification of sediment properties by burrowing invertebrates". Marine Biology. 115 (1): 133–142. Bibcode:1993MarBi.115..133J. doi:10.1007/BF00349395. ISSN 1432-1793. S2CID 85234722.
  2. ^ Jonkel, Charles J.; Kolenosky, George B.; Robertson, Richard J.; Russell, Richard H. (1972). "Further Notes on Polar Bear Denning Habits". Bears: Their Biology and Management. 2: 142–158. doi:10.2307/3872578. ISSN 1936-0614. JSTOR 3872578.