Hazel Doormice by Meli

Introduction

eggermme — 2021-05-27 12:53:57 UTC

Hazel dormice have been around for more than 10,000 years, they’ve been in the UK since the last ice age. Over the last 25 years the number of hazel dormice has dropped by 70%. There have been efforts to reintroduce them into the wild. Breeding pairs were taken to a location in Warwickshire (England) in the hopes of raising the numbers.

How endangered are hazel dormice?

eggermme — 2021-05-27 13:06:48 UTC

Least Concern

https://i0.wp.com/www.acerecology.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Dormouse.jpg?fit=737%2C572&ssl=1

eggermme — 2021-05-27 13:08:38 UTC

Information

eggermme — 2021-05-27 13:09:27 UTC

Hazel dormice are not actually mice they are closely related to squirrels and beavers. Hazel dormice often have one litter with as many as 4 babies

What it means

eggermme — 2021-05-27 13:12:26 UTC

The word dormouse comes from the word dormouse meaning sleepy one because they sleep for most of the year.

Natural acrobats

eggermme — 2021-05-27 15:35:14 UTC

Footnote are arboreal mammals which means they are very acrobatic and spend a lot of time in trees.

Habitat

eggermme — 2021-05-27 15:55:39 UTC

Hazel dormice live in southern England, southern Wales and on the English/Welsh border. They like woody vegetation, and commonly live in woodlands. They spend most of their time in the branches of trees and are found in birds nests or nests they have made themselves

Around the clock

eggermme — 2021-05-27 15:57:54 UTC

https://i2.wp.com/www.acerecology.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dormouse-year.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1

Appearance

eggermme — 2021-05-27 16:45:27 UTC

Hazel dormice have small furry bodies with longish fluffy tails. Hazel dormice shed their tales when they're being attacked by predators.

Diet

eggermme — 2021-05-27 16:52:15 UTC

They are mostly vegetarian depending on the season. When available they feed on flowers, nectar,nuts and when they get the chance they will feed on a variety of insects

Predators

eggermme — 2021-05-27 16:59:10 UTC

Owls, cats, weasels and grey squirrels eat dormice when they are active during the summer months. Bears and wild boars sometimes eat them.

Bad Weather

eggermme — 2021-05-27 17:04:57 UTC

When the weather is particularly bad dormice can go into torpor ( sleep for a short period of time to save energy and then wake up when the weather is nice. During winter, like many rodents, hazel dormice hibernate. They can be found curled up in leaves under the edge of hedgerows.

How to help

eggermme — 2021-05-27 17:07:59 UTC

Take part in dormice monitoring programs or put out nests in boxes for them!

eggermme — 2021-05-27 17:10:08 UTC

An error occurred.

Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.

eggermme — 2021-06-08 15:06:20 UTC

https://images.app.goo.gl/sz49VfvVLPuhaMTFA

eggermme — 2021-06-08 15:18:08 UTC