Building shelters for lizards and snakes By Daniel Guérineau and Loïc Brepson Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 1
Why build shelters? Reptiles are ectothermic : their temperature varies with that of their environment. For this reason, they must have a location with a favorable temperature. Favorited environment in Felluns More than one hundred snakes have been identified in this dry stone wall. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 2
To get through the cold of winter, they must have frost free accommodation for 2 reasons. For digestion: A snake that has just swallowed a field mouse must be able to digest it; for this it will have to be in a place where the temperature can reach 20 to 30 C. Green and yellow snake swallowing a field mouse. For pregnancy: Pregnant green lizard female: Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 3
Catalan lizard warming up on black marl stone. Green lizard that is warming up on a dark surface. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 4
It is sometimes possible to see crushed lizards or snakes on roads. These accidents do not always occur because these animals were hit whilst crossing the road. No! They will often heat themselves on the black bitumen that perfectly store the heat they need. Montpellier snake crushed during digestion on bitumen road (its prey was a ladder snake) Green lizard crushed on asphalt. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 5
Black stones (slate is ideal) placed on the surface of the building will prevent these reptiles from going risking their lives. Young green and yellow snake on a shelter Ocellated lizard observed on a shelter Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 6
Green lizard warming on a slate Green lizard in the sun on a shelter Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 7
Lizards and snakes lay their eggs in soil that is loose and warm enough to allow them to incubate. It is not always easy for them to find a favorable nesting site. By putting at their disposal a sufficient volume of well heated sand, adds an effective laying site to the construction. Establishment of the volume of sand in the future shelter As in this example, it is also possible to combine reptile shelter and composts. The heat of the compost then completes that of the sun and also provides a favorable nesting place. Shelter with integrated compost Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 8
Green and yellow grass snake in compost Many natural areas no longer are suitable for reptiles to inhabit. Uniform medium very unfavorable to reptiles Commercial area unfavorable to reptiles Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 9
Why not today help them on sites where it is possible? Even in a garden where some lizards are present, we can improve their living conditions. How? By enhancing their presence by locations that are favorable to them in a sunny area ; also, if possible, near a water point. You will find below the different stages of construction of a "Guérineau" type shelter : Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 10
1- Dig the "deep shelter" space at the chosen location. Very sunny. 2- Place the bricks and tiles in the trench. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 11
3-Reptiles will be able to access the deep shelter. 4-The whole is covered with flat stones up to the ground level Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 12
5- A garden felt helps prevent the passage of sand to deep shelters Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 13
6-Passages between the stones are left to allow access to these deep shelters 7 A dry stone wall is built by forming an empty space in the middle Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 14
8-70 liters of sand were placed here. Lizards and snakes will use this as a nesting site on site. 9-The whole is covered with flagstones or slates that absorb quickly the heat of the sun. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 15
10 - Some additional tiles allow a greater choice of locations for animals 11-The complete set offers for reptiles an ideal habitat multi functions. This habitat will be occupied by other small species such as toads, shrews etc. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 16
Diagram of a shelter with a mass of sand heated by the Sun that favours the incubation of eggs it's great. Thank you Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 17
Some examples of shelters made adapted to the form of the land available. A very successful finished shelter used by several species of lizards and snakes Shelter in a garden along a railway line - Quillan (Aude) Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 18
Shelter built in the Zoological Park of Paris. Shelter Ansignan (Pyrenees Orientales) built on the ornithological trail. Departmental Council of the Eastern Pyrenees Panel realized by the Community of Communes Agly Fenouillèdes South Cathar Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 19
Shelter built in bricks at the vineyard of CAZES (Aude), subsequently covered with stones to give it a natural appearance. Shelter Mas d'azil (Ariège) built during a celebration of Nature with the A.N.A. Shelter SAULGÉ (Vienna) built on a nature trail. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 20
Shelter built with students from Lycée Charlemagne de CARCASSONNE (Aude) Shelter of LACALM built only with flat stones found on the spot with the County Council of Aude and the Professional High School of NARBONNE (Aude) Shelter FEILLUNS (Eastern Pyrenees) built during the repair of an existing wall. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 21
The "lapidosaurus", artistic construction allowing a large choice of exposure for lizards. Green lizard on the "lapidosaurus". Shelter St ARNAC (Pyrenees Orientales) integrated into a row of organic vines to help fight against pests. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 22
Giant shelter fitted out at BRAM (Aude) with the Departmental Council of Aude as part of compensatory measures at BRAM. BRAM The shelter was covered thanks to the extracted earth by digging the ponds. Giant shelter finished with pond and volume of sand Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 23
Small terrace shelter very well used by small lizards lizard of the walls on a small shelter. some predators very quickly understand the richness of this environment. Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 24
Bibliography: Le courrier de la Nature (July-August 2015, n 290) Espaces naturels (July 2013, n 43) For more information : www.laudeaunat.fr www.audeclaire.org Version anglaise revue et corrigée par Jonathan KEMP Build shelters for lizards and snakes November 2016 25