Living things do play a role in physical and chemical weathering.

Physical weathering: Animals like rabbits, prairie dogs, and groundhogs dig burrows that loosen the soil and break down rocks. Plants send their roots deep into the ground, breaking up rocks as they grow. This loosens the soil and allows for more water infiltration, which can lead to further weathering.

Chemical weathering: Plants release organic acids into the soil that can dissolve minerals in rocks. Animals excrete waste products that contain chemicals that can also dissolve rocks.