Advertisement
Advertisement
fossorial
[ fo-sawr-ee-uhl, -sohr- ]
adjective
, Zoology.
- digging or burrowing.
- adapted for digging, as the hands, feet, and bone structure of moles, armadillos, and aardvarks.
fossorial
/ fɒˈsɔːrɪəl /
adjective
- (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
Discover More
Other Words From
- subfos·sori·al adjective
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of fossorial1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of fossorial1
C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig
Discover More
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse