Dormouse

Animals Unique | Dormouse | The Dormouse is a small mouse-like rodent found predominantly in Europe. There are 29 different species of Dormouse found today, the which are most well-known for long periods of hibernation Their throughout the cooler winter months.

Although the Dormouse is Mainly found inhabiting areas of dense forest and woodland across Europe, a number of species Dormouse Their range also extended into the warmer Asian and African Continents, where They can be found nesting and foraging in the thick undergrowth, out of sight from predators.

The Dormouse, although a small rodent species Generally, can grow up to 20 depending on the long centimetres Dormouse species. The small body size of the Dormouse, allows it to move through the vegetation without being so easily detected.

 

Dormouse Most species are very agile and well-adapted to climbing and life in the trees. Dormouse are known to Communicate Between one another using the which other noises dormice Their pick up using very sensitive hearing. Many species of Dormouse are also nocturnal although not all.

The Dormouse is an omnivorous animal meaning it That Hunts and feeds on a variety of both plants and other animals. Fruits, nuts, insects, seeds, berries and flowers are the primary sources of food for the Dormouse, although the exact diet of the Dormouse depends on the species and the area of ​​the which it inhabits.

 

Due to Their Relatively small size, the Dormouse is preyed upon by Numerous predators in it's woodland habitat. Such birds as owls, eagles and small Falcons prey on the Dormouse from high in the sky, while Mammals Such as foxes, cats, stoats and weasels hunt the Dormouse on ground level.

Once emerged from hibernation in late spring, dormice begin to breed. Female dormice can have more than one litter a year, the which contains Generally 3-5 offspring. Dormouse babies are born after a gestation period of about a month, with no hair and do not open until Their Eyes They are 2 or 3 weeks old. As with other small rodents, dormice are Able to get to five years old, although many are eaten when They are much younger.

 

Today, although the Dormouse is not Considered to be a vulnerable or endangered species, concerns have been raised over declining Dormouse numbers in parts of Europe, particularly the UK, where habitat loss is thought to be the main factor for the demise in Dormouse population numbers .

 

Dormouse Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Rodentia
Family: Gliridae
Scientific Name: Gliridae
Type: Mammal
Diet: omnivore
Size (L): 6cm - 19cm (2.4in - 7.5in)
Weight: 15g - 200kg (0.5oz - 7.1oz)
Top Speed: 12.8km / h (8mph)
Life Span: 2-5 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Grey, Black, White, Brown, Tan, Gold
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Fruits
Habitat: Dense woodlands and shrub land
Average Litter Size: 4
Main Prey: Fruits, Nuts, Insects
Predators: Owls, Snakes, Weasels
Distinctive Features: Long tail and thin, black Whiskers