Animals That Dig Holes to Have Their Babies

Many small animals choose to have their young in a private and safe environment, such as holes in the ground. These holes provide a safe place for birthing and caring for their young and provides a place away from other predators, such as birds and larger animals. Some dig the holes themselves, while others use holes dug by another animal to their advantage.

  1. Rabbits

    • Rabbits that live in the wild will often dig a hole in the ground to deliver and care for their young. These holes are known as nests and may be anywhere the rabbit feels is safe, including your very own backyard. Once the bunnies are born, the mother will return two to three times a day to nurse and care for them. If you are concerned whether or not the bunnies need help, pay attention to the straw and sticks around the nest. If the nest has been uncovered, the mother will most likely be coming back with food. If a nest has been covered for several days, it is time to step in and care for the bunnies.

    Badgers

    • Between March and May, badgers will deliver anywhere from two and five babies in what they deem to be a safe and secure place. This may be a nest created at the end of a dark tunnel or a hole in the ground in a quiet and dark area. The babies will remain in this spot for several months until they are big and strong enough to leave home and survive in the wild on their own.

    Groundhogs

    • Groundhogs are a well-known hole-digging mammal that can remove over 700 pounds of dirt in one area. Due to the digging nature of the groundhogs, they typically give birth and care for their young in one of these many holes dug in the ground. Groundhogs will dig these holes, also known as dens in dry patches of land, often at the end of rolling fields or on the edges of slopes.

    Possums and Raccoons

    • Possums and raccoons enjoy the shelter and safety of holes in the ground to deliver their babies, but they are not natural hole-diggers. For this reason, they often will seek shelter in holes already dog by groundhogs. These dens are often large and in safe areas providing a warm place for possums and raccoons to safety deliver their young.