The sun needs to be shining
Practice shining sunlight at other objects
- Stand facing the sun and point the reflective side of the mirror at the sun.
- Tilt the mirror down slowly until you see the bright reflected spot on the ground. This is the spot you will shine into the burrow.
- Slowly tilt the mirror left and right, up and down to get a feel for moving the spot of light.
If the sun is in front of you (1 person)
- Get low to the ground by kneeling, sitting, or even lying in front of the burrow. Be sure that your body is not between the sun and the mirror.
- Direct the sunlight into the burrow. To do that, play with the position of the spot of sunlight and your hand with the mirror. Check out the entire burrow, especially the far end.
- If the tortoise has excavated soil from inside the burrow and created a large mound at the opening, remove some of it to allow your head to be lower and out of the way of the spot you want to direct inside the burrow. Be sure to recreate the mound when you are finished.
Crouch or lie one or more feet from the burrow opening. Be sure that your arm or head doesn’t block the sunlight.
If the sun is behind you (2 people, 2 mirrors)
If the sun is almost behind you and you cannot “spot” the burrow opening, you may need to wait for the sun to be in a usable position or you can use a helper.
- Position yourself in front of the burrow opening. Ask your helper to stand 6-8 feet in front of you, near the underground end and a little to the side of the burrow.
- Your helper reflects sunlight onto your mirror as you reflect the sunlight into the opening
Tip
Spotting with a small mirror is an excellent way for pointing out your natural surroundings such as wildlife and features of the landscape that are yards away from you.
Crouch or lie one or more feet from the burrow opening. Be sure that your arm or head doesn’t block the sunlight.
