You mentioned science. So I will run with that. Science is to question. Questioning, then testing, produces results(answers) You can stop there or be scientific, that is, ask better questions and receive better answers, etc etc. That is scientific, not stopping at the first answer/result. Scientific is a line of questioning then keep questioning. There is no end.

In this case, you as a scientist want to ask questions that will give the best opportunity to understand a concept. Nesting is not a question that reveals one answer. There is more to it.

Nesting is both physical and behavioral. And may I add, cultural. They require certain physical elements like temps humidity, which are easy, then other stuff like mass and security, no lite, being able to sustain long periods without drying out. Those are requirements we do not understand. Done by thousands of years of phenotypic pressures. Do you really think a female in nature would lay eggs in an area that has the right moisture that's only six inches by six inches. No it won't, and the reason is, those areas would dry out too quickly. So they learn to find areas large enough to withstand long periods of time and not dry out. Hence mass or size is a real requirement.
ALso, reptiles work is a success based approach. That is, if it work, do it again. That is how they survive, this really goes for nesting. They have a drive to nest where they hatched, next they have a drive to nest where they successfully nested. ETc. Remember discovery in nature is costly. So some(these) species, attempt to nest in the same area, over and over. p2

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