fossorial

[ fo-sawr-ee-uhl, -sohr- ]

adjective

, Zoology.

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

fossorial

/ fɒˈsɔːrɪəl /

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

Other Words From

• subfos·sori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fossorial¹

1830–40; < Late Latin fossōri ( us ) adapted to digging (equivalent to Latin fod ( ere ) to dig + tōrius -tory ¹, with dt > ss ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fossorial¹

C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig

Example Sentences

Among the Vespoid families of fossorial wasps, the Pompilidae are the most important.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Of these, Syrrhophus pipilans sometimes inhabits low trees and bushes; the others may be fossorial.

From Project Gutenberg

In the semi-arid scrub forest the same fossorial species as exist in the savannas are found.

From Project Gutenberg