When we think of animal lifestyles, we usually picture swimming, flying, or running creatures. Yet few people realise the remarkable diversity of adaptations and strategies that animals have developed to dig into the soil or bore into wood. Everyone knows the mole, and gardeners often have little sympathy for this highly adapted and actually very fascinating tunnel builder. But the mole is just the tip of the iceberg, and burrowing has evolved multiple times across the animal kingdom.

Who, for example, has heard of digging owls or crabs that are true underground engineers? Who knows the record-holders among land animals that can tunnel over 2 metres into the soil in just a few minutes? Who is familiar with the feats of insects that construct elaborate structures in and on the earth, or, like certain ant species, move several tonnes of soil in a single year?

Look forward to a deep-diving evening full of unique stories about the function, evolution, and diversity of burrowing! Reservations for this tour open on 19 March 2026.

About the Wednesday Evening Tours

Once again, we have put together a programme of fascinating, surprising and highly unusual topics that offer exclusive encounters with unique objects from our collections. Look forward to exceptional and engaging evenings! After the tour, participants are invited to a small reception in the Whale Hall with refreshments, where you can chat with museum staff and ask questions. The tours are suitable for children aged 8 and over.

The tours are partners of Science Comes to Town.