Which vertebrate is known to dig up large portions of the lawn searching for food?

The best choice is moles. Moles are small mammals that are well known for their burrowing behavior. They dig extensive underground tunnels in search of food, primarily earthworms and other invertebrates. This digging can disrupt lawns and gardens, creating noticeable mounds of dirt on the surface.

Raccoons and skunks may also dig in lawns, but this is typically for different reasons, such as searching for insects or grubs rather than extensive tunneling. Canada geese, on the other hand, do not dig; they primarily feed on vegetation and might graze on grass in a lawn, but they don't search for food by digging. Each of these animals interacts with the lawn environment differently, but moles are specifically recognized for their characteristic digging behavior.