Real‑life examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals in your garden

Three core examples of creating shelter for small animals

Let’s start with three core ideas that show up again and again in wildlife-friendly gardens. These are the best examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals that work in almost any climate:

• Layered planting (hedges and shrubs)
• Dead wood and brush piles
• Purpose-built hideaways like rock piles and small animal houses

From there, we’ll branch into more specific, real examples you can copy or adapt.

Example of layered planting: hedges, shrubs, and groundcover

One of the most effective examples of creating shelter for small animals is a layered planting scheme—tall shrubs, medium shrubs, and low groundcover all in the same area. Think of it as a mini forest edge.

Instead of a single row of one shrub species, imagine a 6–10 foot wide strip with:

• Taller shrubs (6–10 ft) like serviceberry, viburnum, or native holly
• Mid-height shrubs (3–5 ft) like spirea or blueberry
• Low plants (under 2 ft) like native grasses, ferns, and groundcovers

This structure creates hiding spots at multiple levels:

• Birds can nest in the dense mid-story shrubs.
• Small mammals like chipmunks or hedgehogs (where they’re native) can move under the lower branches.
• Amphibians and insects find cool, shaded spots at soil level.

A real example: In many National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat® yards in the U.S., homeowners are replacing long, open fences with mixed native hedgerows. These hedgerows give small animals safe corridors to move between yards instead of forcing them to cross open lawns where predators can easily spot them. You can learn more about how habitat structure helps wildlife from the U.S. Forest Service’s resources on wildlife habitat and cover: https://www.fs.usda.gov/

If you’re looking for examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals that don’t feel messy, this is a great place to start—layered planting looks intentional and designed.

Brush piles and log stacks: messy corners that animals love

Another classic example of creating shelter for small animals is the humble brush pile. In 2024–2025, more gardeners are keeping woody prunings on-site instead of sending them off as yard waste, turning them into wildlife shelters instead.

Here’s how people are doing it:

• After pruning trees or shrubs, they stack thicker branches at the bottom in a loose crisscross pattern.
• Smaller twigs and stems are piled on top, leaving plenty of gaps inside.
• A few logs or old stumps are added to create long-lasting structure as the pile settles.

Real examples include:

• A small city yard in Portland where the gardener tucks a 3 ft tall brush pile behind a shed. Songbirds, garter snakes, and ground beetles all use it as cover.
• A suburban garden in Ohio where a log stack along the back fence is slowly decaying, providing shelter for toads and overwintering insects.

These brush piles are one of the best examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals because they’re multi-purpose: they offer hiding places, nesting material, and food as the wood breaks down and supports fungi and invertebrates.

If you’re concerned about safety, follow guidance from local extension services. Many state university extensions (for example, through the USDA network at https://www.usda.gov) offer advice on where to place brush piles to reduce fire risk and avoid attracting unwanted rodents near buildings.

Rock piles and stone walls as real examples of wildlife shelter

If you prefer a more structured look, rock features are a great example of creating shelter for small animals that blends into a formal garden.

Gardeners are building:

• Low, loose rock piles in sunny spots for lizards and beneficial insects
• Dry-stacked stone walls with small gaps between stones
• Rock rings around trees or shrubs with a few larger stones half-buried

These features create:

• Cool, moist crevices for amphibians like toads and salamanders
• Warm, sun-baked surfaces for reptiles and butterflies to bask
• Tiny cracks where spiders, beetles, and solitary bees can shelter

A real example: In New England, many older gardens with traditional stone walls are now recognized as wildlife highways. Small mammals and insects travel inside the wall, protected from predators and extreme weather. Newer gardens are copying this idea with low, dry-stacked walls around vegetable beds or along paths.

For more on how small landscape features support biodiversity, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies share habitat guidance at https://www.usgs.gov.

Modern trends: wildlife-friendly fences and underpasses

One of the newer examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals showing up in 2024–2025 is the wildlife-friendly fence. Instead of solid barriers, gardeners are designing fences that small animals can move under or through.

Common ideas include:

• Leaving a 4–6 inch gap at the bottom of one section of fence so hedgehogs (in the UK), rabbits, or turtles can pass.
• Using slatted or wire fencing where small animals can slip through instead of solid panels.
• Planting dense shrubs along the fence line to create a sheltered “tunnel” of cover.

In the U.S., this approach is especially helpful for turtles and small mammals that need to move between wetlands and upland areas. While large wildlife crossings get a lot of attention, these micro “underpasses” in gardens are small but meaningful examples of creating shelter for small animals on a neighborhood scale.

To keep things balanced, gardeners often:

• Place the access gap away from vegetable beds.
• Use low, dense plantings to guide animals toward safer routes.

This is a good compromise between wanting a secure yard and still supporting local wildlife.

Small animal houses: boxes, hotels, and hideaways

Purpose-built shelters are probably the easiest examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals to picture. They’re also popular in 2024–2025 because you can buy or DIY them.

Common real examples include:

• Birdhouses and nest boxes sized for local species, mounted at the correct height and facing away from prevailing winds.
• Hedgehog houses (where hedgehogs are native) made from wood with a tunnel entrance to keep out predators.
• Toad houses created from upturned clay pots with a “doorway” broken into the rim.
• Bee hotels with drilled wood blocks or bundles of hollow stems for solitary bees.

The key is to match the shelter to the species that actually live in your region. For example, a hedgehog house makes sense in the UK but not in most of the U.S., where you might focus instead on toad shelters and native bee nesting sites.

The Xerces Society (https://www.xerces.org) offers detailed guidance on building safe bee hotels and insect shelters, including how to avoid designs that trap parasites or mold. That kind of expert advice can help you turn your DIY enthusiasm into shelters that genuinely help wildlife.

Ground-level cover: leaves, mulch, and mini “wild zones”

Not every shelter has to be built. Sometimes the best example of creating shelter for small animals is simply what you choose not to tidy.

Gardeners are increasingly:

• Leaving a 2–3 inch layer of fallen leaves under shrubs and trees.
• Allowing a corner of the yard to grow a bit wilder with native grasses and flowers.
• Using natural mulches like shredded leaves or wood chips instead of bare soil.

These choices create:

• Insulation in winter for overwintering insects and small amphibians.
• Moist, cool microclimates during summer heat waves.
• Safe hiding spots for ground beetles, spiders, and other beneficial predators.

One of the most practical examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals in a small yard is a single “wild strip”—maybe 2–3 feet wide along a fence—where you simply stop mowing and allow native plants and leaves to accumulate. It looks intentional if you edge it neatly or add a small sign explaining it’s for wildlife.

Organizations like the National Wildlife Federation and various university extensions highlight leaf litter as important habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, not just “yard waste.” Your local extension office (often found via .edu sites) can offer region-specific planting and mulching advice.

Water features with built-in shelter

Water draws wildlife, but the surrounding structure turns it into a real example of creating shelter for small animals.

Gardeners are adding:

• Shallow basins with gently sloping sides so small animals can climb out.
• A cluster of rocks or a small log partially in the water to create hiding places.
• Dense planting around at least one side of a pond or birdbath for cover.

These features give:

• Birds a safe place to drink and bathe with nearby shrubs to retreat into.
• Amphibians like frogs and toads both water and land-based hiding spots.
• Insects like dragonflies perches and emergent vegetation for shelter.

A real example: In many pollinator gardens certified through programs like the Monarch Waystation initiative, small water dishes with pebbles and nearby plants act as a combined drinking spot and shelter for butterflies and bees. The shelter component—the plants and rocks—is what keeps them safe from predators and overheating.

If you’re concerned about mosquitoes, agencies like the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov) recommend regularly changing standing water in small containers and designing ponds with moving water or natural predators like dragonfly larvae and certain fish.

Putting it together: layered, connected shelter

When people ask for examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals, what they’re really asking is how to create a yard that feels alive, but not chaotic.

A simple way to think about it:

• Vertical layers: tall shrubs or small trees, mid-height shrubs, low plants, and groundcover.
• Horizontal connections: hedges, brush piles, and rock features that link one safe area to another.
• Micro-shelters: small houses, leaf litter, and crevices that animals can actually fit into.

A sample 2025 backyard plan might include:

• A mixed native hedge along the back fence for birds and small mammals.
• A discreet brush pile and log stack in one back corner.
• A small rock ring and toad house near a downspout rain garden.
• A bee hotel and leaf-mulched bed near the vegetable patch.
• A shallow birdbath with nearby shrubs for quick cover.

Each of these is a real example of creating shelter for small animals, and together they turn a standard lawn into a functioning mini habitat.

FAQ: Real questions about examples of creating shelter for small animals

Q: What are some simple examples of creating shelter for small animals in a small yard or balcony?
On a balcony, you might use dense container shrubs, a small brush bundle in a pot, and a bee hotel mounted on a wall. In a tiny yard, a single mixed shrub border, a small rock pile, and a leaf-mulched corner can all be powerful examples of creating shelter for small animals without taking much space.

Q: Can you give an example of a shelter that helps both insects and birds?
A layered shrub bed with a 2–3 inch layer of leaf litter underneath is a great example of creating shelter for small animals across different groups. Insects overwinter in the leaves and stems, while birds use the shrubs for cover and feed on the insects.

Q: Are brush piles safe near my house?
They can be, if placed wisely. Many extension services recommend keeping brush piles at least 10–15 feet away from buildings, not under eaves, and managing them to discourage rodents. This way, they remain one of the best examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals without creating conflicts.

Q: Do I need to buy special wildlife houses, or can I DIY?
You can absolutely DIY. Simple toad houses, log piles, and rock stacks are affordable examples of creating shelter for small animals. For bird and bat houses, it’s worth following plans from trusted sources (often .gov or .edu sites) so entrance sizes and ventilation are correct.

Q: How tidy can my yard be and still support wildlife?
You don’t have to let everything go wild. Many gardeners keep paths and main lawn areas neat, then designate one or two zones for wildlife shelter. A single hedgerow, a discreet brush pile, and a leaf-mulched bed are all manageable examples of 3 examples of creating shelter for small animals that still look intentional.

By choosing even a few of these real-world examples and adapting them to your space, you’re not just decorating—you’re giving small animals the cover they need to survive heat waves, cold snaps, and predators. That’s the kind of gardening that feels good every time you step outside.