Holes are important as shelter for many of the large and small animals of Australia.
Such shelter is necessary as a refuge from predators and also as protection from the bright light, the heat and the dryness of the environment itself. Many Australian animals are nocturnal and require a suitable micro-habitat in which to spend the daylight hours. One key advantage in reversing the normal pattern of daytime activity and sleep at night is the avoidance of the hottest and driest part of the day. Small animals are particularly susceptible because small bodies heat up more rapidly than large bodies and even a brief exposure to excessive heat can be lethal. Usually the intrepid young insect collector punches hole in the lid in the belief that lack of fresh air may be lethal.