Build a Gopher Tortoise Burrow. Instructions

Transcription

1 Build a Gpher Trtise Burrw Instructins

2 Burrw Supply List 'A PVC pipe (need 5, 10 lng 1.75 each = $8.75, Lwe s will cut pipe fr free) Fur 3 pieces Seventeen 2 pieces Fur 4 pieces Five 4 PEX pipe (bendable white pipe similar t PVC, cmes in 5 $1.78 each = $9) Twelve 'A inch 90 PVC T - jints ($1.50 each = $18) Eight 'A inch regular PVC T - jints ( $0.45 each = $3.68) Tw 'A inch straight PVC jints ( $0.36 each = $0.72) Eight 1 / 2 inch threaded PVC adapters (nt needed if T-Brackets are nt threaded inside, ( $0.45 each = $3.68) Disregard infrmatin n adapters if nt needed Zip ties (100 ct. = $9) Burlap ( Apprximately 13 yards f $4 a yard = $52) Outdr carpet ( 13 lng X 7 Lwe s = $40) Aluminum wire (1 rll = $3) Plant decratins (craft r hbby stre such as Michael s r Jann s = $35) Ttal ~ Cmmensals (rdered n Amazn.cm) Aurra Plush Sachet Skunk - $10 Aurra Plush Bandit Raccn - $10 Safari LTD Eastern Diamndback Rattlesnake - $17 Plastic frgs - $14 Mini Pet Muse - $8 Vinyl Snakes - $8 Big Bunch O Bugs - $7 13 Trtise Hand Puppet - $18 10 Piece set f wild insects - $10 Giant Micrbes Tick - $10 Ttal = $ GRAND TOTAL: ~$ Additinal supplies include: Sewing machine, thread, pins, tape measure, and scissrs. Ttal cst ~ $300 (cst may vary based n many factrs such as lcatin, stres, etc.) Fr reference, the images belw represent the 3 different types f PVC jints used. 90 T Flat T Straight Infrmatin frm Page 1 f 10

3 Assembly STEP 1: Cnstruct the frnt tunnel. Lcate nine (9) 2 PVC pipes, fur (4) 90 T- jints, and six (6) flat T-jints. Each side f the tunnel will cnsist f 4 2 pipes cnnected with either a 90 degree r a flat T-jint and a single pipe cnnecting each side at the entrance f the burrw (See Figure 1 belw). Once all the 2 PVC pipes are cnnected, install the 5 PEX pipes. Figure 1. Burrw tunnel Bend the PEX pipe prir t jining with the frame f the tunnel t minimize the amunt f bwing that will ccur. Page 3 f 10

4 STEP 2: Cnstruct the end chamber. It is best t build the end chamber separately, and then cnnect t the burrw tunnel t prevent pieces frm cming apart. It is easiest t assemble the fundatin f the end chamber first, and wrk yur way up. The assembled end chamber will be 2 tall, 6 wide, and 4 deep. T make assembly easier, refer t the PVC labeling system identified in Figure 2. Label each PVC piece with a letter in permanent marker. Figure 2. End chamber diagram Page 4 f 10

5 STEP 3: Figure 3 illustrates the lcatin f each PVC jint placement. Please nte, 90 T-jints lcated at the entrance t the end chamber, are the same jints that are attached t the tunnel. This is where the end chamber and tunnel will cnnect. Again, if all f yur jints are nt threaded (meaning, d nt crk-screw inside) yu will nt need the adapters. Adapters are needed t cnnect a threaded jint, t a smth pipe, disregard if yu d nt need adapters. Cnnect the end chamber t the tunnel. Once the end chamber and tunnel are cnnected, yu shuld have used all f the pipes and jints. Figure 3. PVC jint placement Page 5 f 10

6 Cvering the Burrw Nw that all f the pipes have been assembled, the burrw shape shuld be apparent. Cvering the burrw frame can be as simple r difficult as yu chse t make it (*this is where creativity cmes in). STEP 4: Tailr the burlap t the burrw frame. First cver the tunnel with the fabric. T fit the burlap n the burrw easily, 2 separate pieces are recmmended. STEP 5: Measure the tunnel; It shuld be just ver 8 lng and 4 in diameter. Depending n hw wide yur fabric is, yu may need t sew tw pieces f burlap tgether lengthwise t cver each side f the burrw. Burlap is easily frayed, s yu will need t hem all f the rugh edges nce it is cut t the size yu want. T keep the fabric n the burrw, we recmmend creating a pcket that the frnt entrance PEX pipe AND the last PEX pipe can slide thrugh (like a curtain rd), as seen in the image belw. This will securely attach at the frnt and end f the tunnel structure. Figure 4. Creating a pcket fr the tunnel pening STEP 6: Nw that the tunnel is cvered, cver the end chamber. T start yu will need 3 pieces f fabric that are 9 lng (the burrw is 2 tall (frnt) + 4 acrss + 2 tall (back) + extra fabric fr hemming edges). Page 6 f 10

7 Next, sew thse 3 pieces tgether, length wise (alng the 9 side) t create a very large sheet f burlap. Drape the burlap ver the end chamber (with the edges that are sewn tgether facing utwards). Pin the burlap n each crner t fit it t the frame, and sew a line frm the tp crner t the bttm crner. Hem all edges. Turn burlap inside ut, s the sewn edges are nw n the inside f the burrw. STEP 7: Cnnect the tunnel t the end chamber. Cut ut a prtin f the burlap that cvers the entrance t the end chamber (again be sure t hem this edge s the fabric des nt fray). Use the zip-ties t cnnect the last PEX pipe t the entrance f the end chamber (See zip ties in Figure 5, be sure t cut the ties t remve when disassembling). Figure 5. Cnnecting the tunnel and end chamber STEP 8: Create a burrw exit. T facilitate ne-way burrw traffic, it is highly recmmended that an exit be created. Simply cut a straight line thrugh the burlap at the back prtin f the burrw, and hem the edges (see Figure 6). Page 7 f 10

8 Figure 6. Creating a burrw exit Secure the burlap t the frame in a few lcatins using the zip ties. This will hld the burlap in place and alleviate the need fr fixing the burrw each time a grup f children crawl thrugh. STEP 9: Decrate the burrw. We use aluminum wire t tie the cmmensal species t the burlap, twist ties wuld als wrk Attach the plants alng the utside f the burrw fr decratin. STEP 10: Test it ut! Fr kids f all ages and fr the kid at heart! *Orange Gpher Trtise cnes can be rdered frm: SC Supply Cmpany LLC (SCSupply.cm); Phne: The cne csts apprximately $15.00 each + shipping. Specs: Item #RS70032CT3M6-c 28 7LB Orange, Black Base Traffic Cne with 6 reflective cllars; Gpher Trtise Stencil n file. Page 8 f 10

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