Megafauna

Soil megafauna are typically vertebrates which both live and feed underground, and whilst small compared to most terrestrial megafauna, they are colossal in relation to all the other soil organisms. Examples of soil megafauna include: mammals (e.g. moles, shrews and rodents), reptiles (such as slow-worms) and some amphibian species. Other mammals which partially live in soil might also be considered soil megafauna (depending on how generous/pedantic you’re feeling), such as badgers, rabbits, foxes and hedgehogs. Many of the soil megafauna have adapted to life underground through physiological adaptations such as long digging claws, the loss or reduction of hair, loss of vision and the subsequent development of new sensory organs. The Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas has lots more fascinating information on soil megafauna available as a free PDF download, accessible here.