Exploring the dormouse: traits, behaviors, and fascinating facts about this endearing creature known for its legendary sleepiness.
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The dormouse, a member of the Glirid family, notably the Glis genus, is a small mammal that stands as one of the ancient representatives of the rodent class on our planet. This unassuming creature is renowned for its prolonged hibernation, a habit that earned it the affectionate moniker “sleepyhead.”
Dormouse: Physical Characteristics
Measuring no more than 30 centimeters in length, the dormouse bears a striking resemblance to the squirrel. Its features include small, circular ears, an elongated snout terminating in sensitive vibrissae, akin to those found in cats.
Dark eyes and sharp incisor teeth, ideal for wood gnawing, further distinguish this furry fellow. Its entire body is adorned in gray and brown fur, which takes on a snowy hue in the belly area.
The tail, stout and up to 15 centimeters long, complements its compact frame. Weight-wise, dormice tip the scales at anywhere between 70 to 180 grams, but their lifespan averages around six years, though they often meet their end prematurely.
Reproduction
Reaching adulthood at the age of 10 months, dormice engage in mating at the close of their hibernation period, typically in spring, but occasionally even in autumn. Females, however, give birth just once a year, with pregnancy spanning a mere month. The summer season sees the arrival of litters, which can range from a minimum of two to a maximum of eight offspring.
Newborn dormice emerge into the world as blind, hairless bundles, remaining in the care of their mother within the den. After approximately three weeks, they are weaned and prepared to embark on their journey into adulthood.
The maternal den is perched high in trees to elude potential predators, distinct from the hibernation sanctuary, which is located closer to the ground. In some instances, these hibernation shelters can also be found in abandoned barns, underground recesses, or any nook offering refuge.
Dormouse Habits
The dormouse spends the majority of its day in its own nest. This elusive creature emerges into the open only after the sun has set, promptly retreating at the break of dawn, making encounters a rare occurrence. That’s why it’s so difficult to meet dormice.
FOCUS: Which animals are nocturnal?
This doormouse has a diverse palate, relishing hazelnuts, chestnuts, acorns, various berries, and even the eggs of other creatures. On occasion, it might even savor a few insects. Prior to hibernation, it can often be spotted near hazelnut trees, diligently stockpiling provisions. Occasionally, you might chance upon an online image of a dormouse seemingly delighting in the scent of flowers. In truth, it’s indulging in a small afternoon snack, as it occasionally feeds on blossoms.
Contrary to common assumptions about its hibernation habits, the dormouse is actually a very active creature. It adeptly scales tree canopies and gracefully leaps from one branch to another, exhibiting remarkable cunning and intelligence.
Where does the dormouse live?
This charming creature lives in many regions across Asia and Europe, including northern Iran, Spain, and France and Italy. In case you were wondering, dormice are not present in the Americas.
Its preferred natural habitat is woodlands, especially within trees, where it fashions nests from leaves, bark, and moss.
Today we can also find them in inhabited areas, perhaps near parks, gardens or large green spaces. They generally live together with other specimens of the species, preferring to stay in small groups. They love to play fight and chase each other.
The hibernation of the dormouse
Hibernation is a lengthy affair, spanning approximately 6-7 months, but it isn’t an unbroken slumber. The dormouse periodically awakens to partake of the sustenance it’s stored within its burrow.
During the autumn, it diligently gathers food to sustain itself through the winter. When hibernation stars, the dormouse curls up into a tight ball, maintaining a constant body temperature and reducing its metabolism to a minimum.
Curiosities About the Dormouse
Let’s delve into lesser-known facets of this endearing creature:
- Since 1993, the dormouse has held protected status in Great Britain. This recognition has come later in other countries (for example in Italy it has been so since 2006). For centuries, this delightful animal faced hunting due to the purported tenderness of its meat, which was highly sought after by the ancient Romans.
- While we often speak of dormice as a uniform species, in reality, there are nearly thirty distinct species, exhibiting variations in characteristics. Some are larger, while others boast dark masks around their eyes, resembling raccoons.
- Despite their seemingly docile and defenseless appearance, dormice are one of the planet’s oldest rodent species. Fossils of dormice dating back to the early Eocene period, spanning 33-56 million years ago, suggest that these charming creatures roamed the Earth alongside the ancestors of horses and certain primates.
- Dormice are surprisingly vocal, continuously emitting squeaks both during their activities and while at rest.
- When faced with danger, a dormouse has a unique defense mechanism. It can shed a portion of its tail to evade predators and adopts a distinct posture, standing upright while rhythmically clapping its paws, producing a humming sound. Amazing, isn’t it?
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