How to Build a Desert Tortoise Burrow

How I built a Sonoran Desert Tortoise burrow in my backyard in Tempe, Arizona. I used cinder blocks and pavers to create a solid underground structure that cannot be burrowed through and that will not collapse. It insulates well to ensure that the temperature stays moderate.
wilddesertgard...

[@binkydognose]

Hi, Thanks for your helpful video - we adopted ours here in Glendale about 25 years ago and I'm redoing his old burrow/bunker similarly to better fit into the garden. Such great creatures. Note to viewers and potential tortoise adopters in the area - Sonoran Desert Tortoises have advantages over the popular Sulcata - smaller, less "mess", and we don't see ours from Halloween until Easter/Passover, and of course it's a very good deed to adopt a native rescue. Cheers.

[@nyokapondt9386]

Thank you. I am currently doing this project. Do i fill the first layer of bricks with dirt for my two, small deserts to burrow into? Sorry for dumb question.

[@wilddesertgarden]

Yes, you shovel dirt back in to cover up to the lower set of blocks. The tortoises will dig into it.

[@DavidGutierrez-fv2qf]

What would you do if it gets too cold?

[@wilddesertgarden]

If you live in a colder area you may want to build the burrow floor deeper down. I also add some hay inside to help insulate.

[@broederbond60]

Why not let the tortoise burrow ?

[@wilddesertgarden]

He does dig his own burrows under bushes, but these are not fully shaded from the sun/rain. For the winter brumation and summer extreme heat, he needs the full protection of a properly constructed burrow. Even in nature, tortoises will borrow other burrows that they find.

[@MB1BUMPER]

What is the temperature supposed to beat inside roughly?We are currently building one just like this now

[@wilddesertgarden]

In the summer it should stay below 95F inside and in the winter it should stay above 40F. It is important that it always remains shaded and dry inside.

[@wdbyrd2]

Would this be sufficient for a African Spurred tortoise? in Phoenix?

[@wilddesertgarden]

African spurred tortoises grow to be much larger than the native desert tortoise, so you would need something bigger.

[@wdbyrd2]

@@wilddesertgarden Oh yeah. They are much bigger.

[@sonora6702]

I'm trying to make this will 6 inch blocks work instead of 8?

[@wilddesertgarden]

You'll need to use more blocks, and stack them 3 blocks high. It may be less stable and need reinforcement.

[@sonora6702]

Is paver sand from lowes or home depot safe? For leveling the paver and interlocking it?

[@wilddesertgarden]

I don't think paver sand is bad, but it's not necessary. It will not get direct rain or foot traffic.

[@sonora6702]

​@wilddesertgarden so I did it with 2 rows of cinder blocks like the video but my dirt is very high and the entrance is very low there is not enought clearance... my question is can I do a 3rd row without jeopardizing the stability or should I just dig around and lower the dirt?

[@cjgrinar6975]

Any tips for getting the pavers level? Did you lay the sand down and then the pavers?

[@wilddesertgarden]

Yes, there is an inch of sand underneath the pavers. The sand layer is made smooth using a 2x4 and a level.

[@nyokapondt9386]

I had this problem too​@@wilddesertgarden

[@jdo3400]

thank you for sharing this! Just curious...have you moved your tortoises in yet? if so, how quickly did they take to it?? How many do you have for this burrow?

[@wilddesertgarden]

Yes, the new desert tortoise moved in recently. I put him down in front of the burrow and he moved in right away. I just have one adult male tortoise

[@NikolaosGiannakidis-ek1xv]

Ee und die Rechnung für die anderen beiden sind sehr gut und die anderen beiden sind ja auch noch ein paar Bilder von der Nähe von der Nähe von der Nähe von der Nähe von der Nähe von der Nähe von der Nähe der

[@sonora6702]

Did you use paver sand or regular sand?

[@wilddesertgarden]

Regular natural sand - no chemicals

[@jdo3400]

do you have any predators in your area??? we have coyotes in our area and i want too make sure our tortoises are safe

[@wilddesertgarden]

There are coyotes nearby but I don't think they can get into my backyard over the 6' block fence. Also, I have a large adult tortoise, so he is not as vulnerable to predators.

[@crisdiaz32107]

What happens when it rains?

[@wilddesertgarden]

The burrow stays dry in rains/storms. It is important that the entrance is slightly above ground level so water cannot flow in.

[@lcoop89]

Never get to see the tortoise ☹️☹️

[@murphytoadster9864]

My tortoise doesn't want to go in his burro but I made it's so badass like in nature

[@wilddesertgarden]

Hamm always uses his burrow in the summer during the heat of the day. At night, and when it's cooler, he likes to come out to a burrow he dug under a bush.

[@onehandedpants966]

Why wonderboard?

[@wilddesertgarden]

Cement backer boards like Wonderboard don't degrade when exposed to water. I don't like using any wood in the burrow construction because of the risk of rot and termites.

[@Lisa-qy3bp]

👍👍👍❤️ very interesting ❤

[@Bruce_Games]

I cant do this down the bayou