Surface-dwelling

Pronunciation: /ˈsɝfəs- ˈdwɛɫɪŋ/

Surface-dwelling (adj)

  1. Living or growing on the outer layer of something, not inside it.
  2. Living near the ground or outer surface of a place, rather than deeper underground or inside structures.

Surface-dwelling (adjective)

Examples

  • Some surface-dwelling insects hide under leaves.
  • The surface-dwelling animals stay near the top layer.