Burrowing
Guides
Neohermes
Gray Fishflies
Neohermes is a genus of fishflies in the family Corydalidae containing approximately five described species. Species in this genus are aquatic insects associated with freshwater habitats, particularly intermittent streams. The genus is known for including long-lived aquatic species with specialized burrowing behaviors.
Neohermes filicornis
Fishfly
Neohermes filicornis is a long-lived aquatic fishfly (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) inhabiting intermittent streams across North America. The species exhibits burrowing behavior and is adapted to temporary water systems with periodic drying. Adults are terrestrial while larvae are aquatic predators with extended larval development periods.
Nephropidae
True Lobsters
Nephropidae is a family of large marine decapod crustaceans commonly known as true lobsters. Members possess a robust, elongated body with a well-developed carapace, large asymmetrical claws (chelipeds), and a muscular abdomen ending in a broad tail fan. The family includes commercially important species such as the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Nephropidae is distinguished from other lobster-like crustaceans by specific morphological and reproductive characteristics.
Ocypodidae
Ghost and Fiddler Crabs
Ocypodidae is a family of semiterrestrial crabs comprising approximately 180 described species across 13 extant genera. The family includes two well-known groups: ghost crabs (genus Ocypode) and fiddler crabs (multiple genera including Leptuca and Minuca), plus the mangrove crabs of genus Ucides. Members are characterized by markedly unequal chelipeds in males, with the larger cheliped always exceeding carapace length. The family underwent substantial taxonomic revision in 2016, when the genus Uca was divided into 13 separate genera.
Omophron dentatum
Toothed Round Sand Beetle
Omophron dentatum, known as the toothed round sand beetle, is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It occurs in Central America and western North America, including California and Baja California. Adults are nocturnal and both life stages construct burrows in sandy substrates near water margins. The species is associated with riparian habitats at the edges of rivers, brooks, and ponds.
Omophron gilae
Gila River round sand beetle
Omophron gilae is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is commonly known as the Gila River round sand beetle. The species is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits sandy margins of water bodies. Adults are nocturnal and exhibit gregarious behavior.
Omophron grossum
Large Round Sand Beetle
Omophron grossum, commonly known as the large round sand beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It inhabits river margins in central and southwestern North America. Adults are nocturnal and gregarious, sheltering in ground burrows during daylight hours. The species is distinguished by its rounded body form characteristic of the genus Omophron.
Omophron ovale
Oval Round Sand Beetle
Omophron ovale, known as the oval round sand beetle, is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It measures 4.5–6.6 mm in length and displays a distinctive color pattern of yellowish tan with metallic green markings. The species is riparian, inhabiting sandy and muddy margins of freshwater bodies as well as some coastal habitats.
Omophron solidum
solid round sand beetle
Omophron solidum, known as the solid round sand beetle, is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It inhabits sandy beaches along water bodies in California and Oregon. Adults are nocturnal and gregarious, retreating into burrows during daylight hours.
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
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Orthoporus is a genus of spirostreptid millipedes comprising approximately 80 species distributed from the southern United States through Central America to Brazil and Argentina. The genus includes the well-known desert millipede Orthoporus ornatus, which has been studied for its behavioral thermoregulation in arid environments. Members of this genus are characterized by their cylindrical bodies and two pairs of legs per body segment, typical of millipedes. Several species are maintained in educational collections due to their docile nature and distinctive appearance.
Ovalipes ocellatus
Lady Crab, Ocellated Crab, Calico Crab, Leopard Crab, Atlantic Leopard Crab
Ovalipes ocellatus, commonly known as the Lady Crab, is a medium-sized crab species native to the western Atlantic coast of North America. The species is distinguished by its yellow-grey to light purplish carapace adorned with distinctive leopard-like clusters of purple spots, which provide limited iridescence for signaling. It is primarily nocturnal and often buries itself in sandy substrates. The species has been described as notably aggressive toward humans, with documented instances of pinching waders.
Palingeniidae
spiny-headed burrowing mayflies
Palingeniidae is a family of large mayflies commonly known as spiny-headed burrowing mayflies. Adults are characterized by having more than four longitudinal cross-veins on their wings, with males possessing short, wide pronota and well-developed legs in both sexes. Female cerci are shorter than the body. Nymphs are burrowers in muddy substrates of large rivers. The family includes notable species such as Palingenia longicauda, the largest European mayfly at up to 12 cm in length.
Panopeidae
mud crabs
Panopeidae is a family of true crabs comprising 26 genera of free-living species commonly known as mud crabs. Centers of diversity are the Atlantic Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean, with most species inhabiting soft-bottomed marine environments. The family exhibits extensive morphological convergence among genera due to similar habitat and dietary preferences. Several species have been documented as invasive, including Dyspanopeus sayi, which has spread from North America to European and Black Sea waters.
Paruroctonus baergi
sand swimmer scorpion
Paruroctonus baergi, commonly known as the sand swimmer scorpion, is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae. It is native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species is known for its burrowing behavior in sandy desert habitats. It was originally described as Vaejovis baergi before being transferred to the genus Paruroctonus.
Paruroctonus silvestrii
California common scorpion, stripe-tailed scorpion
Paruroctonus silvestrii is a small scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, native to the coastal regions of California and Baja California. It is commonly known as the California common scorpion or stripe-tailed scorpion. The species inhabits dry areas where it constructs and occupies burrows. It is distinguished by four longitudinal brown lines on the ventral surface of its tail, which gives rise to its 'stripe-tailed' common name.
Promyrmekiaphila
Promyrmekiaphila is a genus of mygalomorph trapdoor spiders endemic to California. First described by Schenkel in 1950, the genus currently contains three species: P. clathrata, P. winnemem, and P. korematsui. These spiders construct silk-lined burrows with wafer-like trapdoor lids and exhibit strong geographic population structuring with deep genetic divergence, particularly within P. clathrata. The genus is notable for morphological conservation despite considerable genetic differentiation, representing a cryptic species complex.
Pycnoscelus
burrowing cockroaches
Pycnoscelus is a genus of burrowing cockroaches in the family Blaberidae, containing approximately 15 described species. The genus is distributed across India, China, Southeast Asia, and has been introduced to other regions including the Americas. The most studied species, Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Surinam cockroach), is notable for being parthenogenetic and serving as an intermediate host for poultry parasites.
Sarcoptidae
Itch Mites
Sarcoptidae is a family of parasitic mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, commonly known as itch mites. The family includes the genus Sarcoptes, whose members cause sarcoptic mange in mammals. These mites are obligate parasites that burrow into host skin, causing intense pruritus, crusting lesions, and potentially fatal secondary infections. Sarcoptes scabiei, the most studied species, infests over 200 million humans worldwide and numerous domestic and wild mammal species.
parasitemitescabiesmangezoonosisveterinarywildlife-diseaseneglected-tropical-diseaseburrowingepidermal-parasitedirect-life-cyclehost-specific-strainsimmunologyemerging-infectious-diseasebiodiversity-threatcross-species-transmissionferal-dog-reservoirquantitative-surveillancetissue-digestion-protocolivermectin-treatmentcrusted-scabiesordinary-scabiespruritusalopeciahyperkeratosissecondary-bacterial-infectionWHO-neglected-tropical-diseaseover-200-million-human-casesmammalian-host-specificityAstigmataSarcoptiformesArachnidaAcariSchizocosa mccooki
McCook's Split Wolf Spider
Schizocosa mccooki is a large wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, distributed across western North America from the Pacific coast to western Lake Erie. This species inhabits diverse open habitats including grasslands, chaparral, desert, and pinyon pine forests. Males produce complex vibratory courtship signals consisting of thumps and raps, with female mate choice influenced by male body mass and signal characteristics. Some populations have been observed digging burrows.
Smeringurus vachoni
Vachon's Hairy Scorpion, Vachon's Sand Scorpion
Smeringurus vachoni is a small to medium-sized burrowing scorpion endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Formerly classified in Paruroctonus, it was reassigned to Smeringurus based on morphological and genetic studies. This psammophilic (sand-dwelling) species constructs shallow burrows in loose sandy substrates and is primarily nocturnal. It is distinguished by its densely setose (hairy) pedipalps and metasoma, an adaptation for sensory function in sandy environments.
Sphaeroma
pillbug, roly poly, marine pillbug
Sphaeroma is a genus of aquatic isopod crustaceans in the family Sphaeromatidae. These small crustaceans are commonly known as marine pillbugs or roly polies, though they are distinct from terrestrial isopods. The genus contains multiple species distributed across marine and estuarine environments globally. Some species, such as S. terebrans, are specialized wood-borers in mangrove habitats, while others inhabit rocky intertidal zones or construct burrows in soft sediments. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with new species described from the northeastern Pacific and elsewhere.
Stomatopoda
Mantis Shrimps, Stomatopods
Stomatopoda is an order of marine malacostracan crustaceans comprising approximately 450 extant species. Commonly known as mantis shrimps due to their raptorial appendages resembling those of praying mantises, they represent one of the oldest crustacean lineages, having diverged from other malacostracans around 400 million years ago. The order is divided into two functional groups based on raptorial appendage morphology: "smashers" that deliver powerful blunt strikes and "spearers" that impale soft-bodied prey. Stomatopods inhabit tropical to temperate marine waters globally, with greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.
Suphis
Suphis is a genus of small aquatic beetles in the family Noteridae, first described by Aubé in 1836. The genus contains approximately eleven described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from North, Central, and South America. Members of this genus are associated with freshwater habitats, particularly wetlands and slow-moving waters. As part of the Noteridae family, they represent one of several genera within the diverse group of predaceous diving beetles.
Suphisellus puncticollis
Suphisellus puncticollis is a burrowing water beetle described by Crotch in 1873. It belongs to the subfamily Noterinae within the family Noteridae, a group of small aquatic beetles adapted to living in muddy substrates. The species has been recorded in Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States.
Tridactylidae
Pygmy Mole Crickets, Pygmy Sand Crickets, Pygmy Mole Grasshoppers
Tridactylidae are a family of minute orthopterans commonly called pygmy mole crickets, though they are not closely related to true mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae). Adults typically measure 5–10 mm, with some species reaching 20 mm. They inhabit moist sandy soils near water bodies, where they construct shallow burrows 2–3 cm deep. The family is distinguished by extraordinary jumping abilities powered by enlarged hind femora, and by unique natatory lamellae on the hind tibiae that function as swimming paddles. Some species can jump from water surfaces and even dive. Despite their common name, they are basal grasshoppers (Caelifera), not crickets.
Tylos
Calloused Beach Pillbugs
Tylos is a genus of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) in the family Tylidae, commonly known as calloused beach pillbugs. These crustaceans are specialized inhabitants of sandy coastal environments, living in the supralittoral zone above the driftline on ocean beaches. They exhibit remarkable adaptations for life in this harsh habitat, including powerful burrowing abilities, strong desiccation resistance, and behavioral synchronization with tidal and diel cycles. Most species are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on beach-cast organic material such as kelp and other detritus.
Tylos punctatus
Spotted Calloused Beach Pillbug
Tylos punctatus is a large, strictly nocturnal sand-beach isopod inhabiting sheltered intertidal zones from southern California to Baja California. It exhibits remarkable behavioral adaptations to this harsh environment, including precise burrowing cycles synchronized with tidal patterns and seasonal dormancy. The species has an exceptionally slow life history for an isopod, with females breeding only once annually after reaching maturity at approximately three years of age.
Uca pugilator
sand fiddler crab, Atlantic sand fiddler crab, Calico fiddler
Leptuca pugilator is a temperate fiddler crab species found on the Atlantic coast of North America, from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits intertidal mudflats and sandy estuarine shores, where it constructs burrows and occurs in extremely high densities. Males possess one dramatically enlarged claw used for territorial defense and combat with rival males. The species was transferred from genus Uca to Leptuca in 2016 based on phylogenetic evidence.
Ucides cordatus
swamp ghost crab, caranguejo-uçá, Atlantic mangrove ghost crab
Ucides cordatus is a large mangrove crab endemic to the Atlantic coast of the Americas, ranging from Florida to Uruguay. It is one of two species in the genus Ucides and holds substantial economic and ecological importance, particularly in Brazil where it supports artisanal fisheries. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females typically larger than males and differing in carapace coloration. Population declines have been documented since 1988 due to overharvesting, habitat loss, and disease.
Ucididae
mangrove crabs, uçá-crabs
Ucididae is a family of semiterrestrial brachyuran crabs currently recognized as containing a single genus, Ucides, with Ucides cordatus as the best-studied species. These crabs are obligate inhabitants of neotropical mangrove ecosystems, where they construct deep burrows in intertidal sediments. The family exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in morphology and behavior, with males possessing disproportionately large chelipeds and females showing abdomen enlargement for egg incubation. Ucididae species are economically significant throughout their range, supporting artisanal fisheries in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Suriname.
Uropygi
whip scorpions, vinegaroons, uropygids
Uropygi is an order of arachnids commonly known as whip scorpions or vinegaroons, characterized by a whip-like flagellum on the posterior end and large scorpion-like pedipalps. They lack venom glands but possess defensive glands capable of spraying acetic and caprylic acid, producing a vinegar-like odor. These nocturnal predators use only six legs for walking, with the first two pairs modified as sensory appendages. The order comprises approximately 100 species across 18 extant genera, all placed in the single family Thelyphonidae.