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BUILD A HIBERNACULUM [HAHY-BER-NAK-YUH-LUHM] FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Amphibians and reptiles like frogs, toads and newts are regular visitors to gardens, especially when they have water features like ponds and bogs. When winter hits, these amazing little creatures need a safe space to hibernate. You can provide this on your patch by building them their very own hibernaculum! Find out how, below.

Animals won’t be left out in the cold – not on our patch!

Stuff you'll need:

  • Spade
  • Logs and branches
  • Rocks and bricks
  • Two or three pieces of drainpipe. (Ask a DIY store for offcuts. if using plastic drainpipes, roughen the insides with sandpaper, so they’re not too slippery for animals to climb in.)
  • Long grasses or wildflower seeds (optional)

Step-by-step guide

  1. In a sunny spot, dig a hole about 50cm deep and 1.5 metres across.
  2. Fill with logs, branches, bricks and rocks, leaving plenty of gaps in between.
  3. Insert entrance tubes (drainpipes) at ground level.
  4. Cover the pile with soil (to about 50cm high). Make sure that you don’t cover up the drainpipe entrance holes!
  5. Plant wildflower seeds or long grasses over the mound for pollinators to feast on in the summer.
  6. Wait for frogs, toads and newts to crawl their way in!

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BUILD A HIBERNACULUM [HAHY-BER-NAK-YUH-LUHM] FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Produced by: Backyard Nature
Animals big and small need water to survive. By providing water for wildlife on your patch you’ll attract all sorts of curious critters as they flock to take a dip or have a drink.
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