Please take care! At the moment there is a huge risk of forest fires in the canton of Zurich. Accordingly, a strict fire ban is in effect in the Sihlwald, on the grounds of the Sihlwald Visitor Center, and at the Langenberg Wildlife Park.

Reptile burrow

A reptile burrow is a composite habitat consisting of piles of stones and branches in a sunny location. It provides hiding places and sunbathing areas for reptiles and amphibians or serves as a place to hibernate.

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.