Artificial burrows with basal chambers are preferred by pygmy bluetongue lizards, Tiliqua adelaidensis

Published source details Staugas E.J., Fenner A.L., Ebrahimi M. & Bull C.M. (2013) Artificial burrows with basal chambers are preferred by pygmy bluetongue lizards, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Amphibia-Reptilia, 34, 114-118.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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Create artificial burrows

A replicated study in 2011 in laboratory conditions in South Australia, Australia (Staugas et al. 2013) found that pygmy bluetongue lizards Tiliqua adelaidensis preferred to use artificial burrows with a chamber at the end, regardless of the size of the chamber. (All results were presented as model outputs unless otherwise stated). Lizards spent more time in artificial burrows with chambers attached (196–354 minutes in burrows with tennis-ball chambers) compared to burrows without chambers (6–97 minutes in burrows without chambers). Lizards spent similar amounts of time in artificial burrows with large and small chambers and also did not show any preference for whether the burrow was lined with sand or not (data reported as statistical model result). In June–July 2011, five different artificial burrows were tested (all surfaces lined with glued-on sand unless otherwise stated): plastic tube without a chamber; plastic tube with tennis ball chamber; plastic tube with large chamber; plastic tube with small chamber; and a plastic tube with large container and no sand lining (see paper for tube and container dimensions). Eight of 12 wild-caught lizards were used in each trial (3–4 trials/lizard). Lizard responses were videoed for 6 hours/day over two days.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)