What can we learn from how animals build their homes? Unlike humans, you’ll find that all animal homes are naturally built, and biodegrade at end of use. No concrete or toxic cement needed!
Don’t leave out human hair or pet fur for birds’ nests (nor lint as it can cause mould) as hair and fur often contains remnants of shampoos and medicine and can cause choking (as can lint). Birds have been building nests for thousands of years, without our help.
Built by Animals looks at 26 animals who have inspired the most amazing materials used in the natural building industry today. Thanks to biomimicry, today we can use more solar energy, grow plants in the desert, pump water to tall buildings and clean up polluted rivers. Learn how bees make a honeycomb shape to strengthen their homes, and termites that build their homes with natural air conditioning. And who will win the Animal Builder Award – the prairie dog, peacock, beaver or firefly?
A few animals that build homes (apart from birds and their nests) are:
- Rabbits build warrens underground, often there are dozens of bunnies running around the tunnels they create by digging holes.
- Beavers who build ‘lodges’ with mud and twigs, with the entrance underwater. Their gnawing teeth can fell trees to build dams, which is why they are so good to prevent floods.
- Ants build nests (usually pile of dirt in your garden is where they get in and out). Just leave them alone if safe to do so, as they go away of their own accord eventually.
