Reptile burrow

Material:

• Foliage
• A concrete or natural stone slab
• Four larger boulders
• Material from the garden: branches of different thicknesses, tree stumps, rootstocks, several small to medium-sized stones

Construction without hibernating possibilities (not frost-free):

• Dig out the soil to a depth of approx. 40 cm or leave it at ground level
• Loosen the soil
• Place a layer of gravel and small stones on the surface (water drainage)
• Place four boulders in a square on the ground
• Place a concrete or natural stone slab on top of the four stones
• Fill the cavity with straw or leaves (no hay!)
• Add the wooden material from the garden on and around the frame

Construction with hibernating possibilities (frost-free):

• Dig out the soil to a depth of approx. 1 m height from the slope
• Loosen the soil
• Dig a small trench so that the water can drain away
• Place a layer of medium-sized stones on the trench (water drainage)
• Place four boulders in a square on the ground
• Place a concrete or natural stone slab on top of the four stones
• Fill the cavity with straw or leaves (no hay!)
• Add the wooden material from the garden on and around the scaffolding

Location:

• The location should generally be sunny.
• Not suitable for hibernation: on a slope or at ground level
• Suitable for hibernation: on a slope

Care:

• The structure should grow in a little but not become completely overgrown. Now and then, remove some weeds (in sections).
• If necessary, pile up new material
• Every 10 years or so, the structure can be completely dismantled and re-stacked.

Further links, brochures and leaflets:

• Tips for reptiles in the garden
• Further support measures for sand lizards in urban areas (p. 28) - the brochure is currently available as part of the special exhibition «Sand lizards. Everything alright?» in the Wildnispark Zurich Nature Museum.