fossorial
[fo-sawr-ee-uh l, -sohr-]
- digging or burrowing.
- adapted for digging, as the hands, feet, and bone structure of moles, armadillos, and aardvarks.
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Origin of fossorial
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for fossorial
Historical Examples
Fossorial: formed for or with the habit of digging or burrowing.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
Evolution within the Dikkomyini resulted in the acquisition and perfection of fossorial adaptations.
Aard-varks feed on animal substances; and are terrestrial and fossorial in habits.
The moist soil and litter on the forest floor is an important microhabitat for fossorial and strictly terrestrial species.
In the savannas Rhinophrynus dorsalis, Engystomops pustulosus, and Gastrophryne usta are fossorial species.
fossorial
- (of the forelimbs and skeleton of burrowing animals) adapted for digging
- (of burrowing animals, such as the mole and armadillo) having limbs of this type
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Word Origin
C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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