Editing Nest (section)

===Mammals===
{{Redirect|Rat's nest|the single|The Rat's-Nest|the concept in electronic design|Circuit diagram#Rat's nest}}
{{See also|Nest-building in primates|Nest-building in domestic pigs}}

[[Image:Bornean Orangutan in nest.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bornean orangutan]] (''[[Pongo pygmaeus]]'') in its nest]]
Many species of small mammals such as [[rodent]]s, [[rabbit]]s, and [[ground squirrel]]s dig [[burrow]]s into the ground to protect themselves and their young.<ref name="inquiry"/>  [[Prairie dog]]s build an elaborate system of tunnels which can span large stretches of land.  One such structure, called a town, spanned {{convert|25000|sqmi|km2}} and held an estimated 400 million individuals.  Their homes are adapted to withstand large (above-ground) temperature variation, floods, and fire.  Their young are raised in the deepest chambers where the temperature is the most stable.<ref name=PopMech />

Many mammals, including [[raccoon]]s and [[skunk]]s, seek natural cavities in the ground or in trees to build their nests.  Raccoons, and some rodents, use leaves to build nests underground and in trees. [[Tree squirrel]]s build their nests ([[drey]]s) in trees, while [[vole]]s nest in tall grass.<ref name="inquiry">{{cite web|title=Mammal Nests and Burrows|work=Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species|publisher=University of Michigan|url=http://www.biokids.umich.edu/guides/tracks_and_sign/build/mammalnests/|access-date=August 20, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002842/http://www.biokids.umich.edu/guides/tracks_and_sign/build/mammalnests/|archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref>  In some species, the nest serve as homes for adults while in others they are used to raise young.  The [[duck-billed platypus]] and the [[echidna]] lay eggs in nests.<ref name=Britannica />

[[Gorilla]]s build fresh nests daily out of leaves and other vegetation in which they sleep at night.  They sometimes also build nests during the day for resting in.  The smaller species of gorilla build their nests in trees, while the larger are confined to the ground.  Nests of the [[western gorilla]], the largest species, measure about {{convert|1|m|ft}} in diameter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest mammal to build a nest|work=Guinness World Records|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-10000/largest-mammal-to-build-a-nest/|access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref>